Co Meath pharmacy destroyed in suspected arson attack reopens in temporary location

A PHARMACY IN Co Meath which was destroyed in a suspected arson attack last week has reopened in a temporary location.

Last week, McQuaid’s pharmacy in Oldcastle sustained significant damage, with the exterior of the building appearing burnt out. 

It’s understood that gardaí found signs of an accelerant having potentially been used in the course of the incident on 18 December.

The pharmacy adjoins the Oldcastle Court Hotel, whose owner had previously enquired about using it as an IPAS centre.

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed that as of June, an offer of international protection accommodation at this property was no longer under consideration.

McQuaid’s pharmacy reopened the very next day in temporary premises a few doors down after it was offered the use of a nearby location.

However, the new temporary premises was forced to shut yesterday due to concerns it was not in compliance with pharmacy standards.

In a statement to The Journal, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), which is the statutory body responsible for regulating pharmacies, remarked that a “pharmacy must be registered with the PSI before it can open and operate.”

The spokesperson added that the PSI is “aware” of the situation concerning McQuaid’s Pharmacy following the recent fire at its premises.

The PSI said it is “actively liaising with the pharmacy owner so that the pharmacy may be established at a temporary location”.

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But after a short period of closure in the temporary premises, the PSI confirmed that McQuaid’s Pharmacy is once more back up and running.

Tracey Holsgrove, secretary of the Oldcastle Community Development Association told The Journal that the pharmacy will be closing at about 5.30pm this evening and then it’ll be back as normal opening hours in its new temporary location on Saturday, 27 December.

“It’s great news, a great Christmas story,” added Holsgrove.

“We’re delighted because the fire was horrendous, the most horrible thing.”

Holsgrove also described Donna McQuaid, who owns and operates McQuaid’s Pharmacy, as an “amazing woman”.

“The new temporary location did have to close temporarily,” said Holsgrove, “but it’s been approved and it’s open for business.

“The town has really pulled together to get her back up and running. It’s been just amazing.”

Holsgrove added that the “whole town is buzzing and there are people literally queuing outside the new place on Christmas Eve.”

She said that the experience has been “awful” not only for Donna McQuaid and her family and pharmacy staff, but also for the wider community.

“It’s horrible to think that something like this could happen,” said Holsgrove.

“So to see the way people pulled together over the last week to get her back open, and then they helped get her over whatever little hurdles there were, and now she’s really back up and running today.”

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