A Dublin jiu-jitsu academy is rebuilding after a devastating arson attack completely destroyed their training facility, with supporters rallying to raise nearly $15,800 to help restore the beloved community hub.
Republic of Jiu-Jitsu was gutted in the early hours of Tuesday morning in what Coach Abnel described as ” act of arson.” The blaze consumed everything inside the academy, leaving nothing salvageable.
“Late on Monday night, our jiu-jitsu academy — Republic of Jiu Jitsu — was completely destroyed,” Coach Abnel shared on the GoFundMe page. “Thankfully, the fire happened outside of business hours and no one was injured, but the damage to our gym was total.”
The destruction was comprehensive, wiping out years of accumulated equipment and memories. “The mats, the gear, the kids’ belts and medals, all completely destroyed. Even the walls, changing rooms and showers were completely wrecked,” the coach continued.
Dublin Fire Brigade responded with seven fire engines to tackle the blaze. “Firefighters from Tara Street fire station were first on scene and found the ground floor well alight. Three breathing apparatus teams located and extinguished the fire,” DFB reported on social media. Images shared by the fire service showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the building.
Despite the devastating loss, the academy’s spirit remains unbroken. Coach Abnel emphasized that the facility meant far more to the community than just a place to practice martial arts.
“Our club has always been more than just a place to train. It’s a second home for kids after school, a place of confidence and discipline for teens, and a supportive environment for adults of all ages. This gym helped people through depression, addiction, bullying, burnout — and built a community of friendship, respect, and resilience. That can’t be burned down,” he added.
The resilient team has already resumed training at a temporary location several times per week, demonstrating their commitment to keeping the community together. “We’re already back on the mats… but starting from scratch is hard. We’ve lost tens of thousands of euros worth of mats, equipment, and fittings,” the coach explained.
The academy has launched a crowdfunding campaign seeking $65,000 to rebuild their facility. The response from supporters has been overwhelming, with 127 donors contributing $10,300 toward their goal as the community rallies around the devastated dojo.
“We are heartbroken, but not beaten,” Coach Abnel declared, asking for public assistance to restore not just the physical space, but the community hub that has become essential to so many lives.
“Every donation, share, and message of support is helping us to rebuild, recover, and return stronger than ever,” he said, as the academy works to transform this setback into a comeback story that will inspire their tight-knit martial arts community.
