A fire has broke out at the site of a controversial proposed care home in Markethill just days after concerns were raised with this publication.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that one appliance each from Armagh, Newtownhamilton and Newry attended the incident – at the former Hebron House building on Main Street – shortly after 3.30am today (Friday).
Firefighters were called to reports of the ground floor of a private property on fire earlier this morning. Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
They left the scene at 4.45am and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.
Earlier this week concerns were raised with Armagh I after a recruitment notice appeared in the window of the former Hebron House premises which is now under the ownership of controversial healthcare and recruitment company, Good People.
In 2025, an employee of Good People – a Healthcare provider and recruitment company with premises on Armagh’s Barrack Street and Markethill’s Main Street – was convicted in the Republic of Ireland of forgery and falsifying Garda vetting paperwork.
In October 2024, Good People became the source of heated speculation when the Markethill community raised questions about people seemingly being “moved into” the then vacant Hebron House premises, with some asserting that the building was being used to “house illegal immigrants”.
Minana International – which trades under Good People – was also awarded a public contract worth an estimated €6 million that same year, to carry out “vulnerability assessments” for asylum seekers, according to The Irish Times.
However, Pastor Gerard Chimbganda – CEO of the company and an evangelical pastor and businessman originally from Zimbabwe – arranged a public meeting with local councillors in attendance as an attempt to allay concerns that same month.
The meeting went some way to assuage those concerns, that was at least until controversy broke surrounding the falsified Garda certs.
A report by The Irish Times in September 2025, stated that the employee charged with 110 counts of forgery as well as falsification of Garda vetting disclosures for staff who were tasked with caring for children under State care was a relative of Mr Chimbganda’s.
The 22-year-old woman, Dr Judith Kundodyiwa, was convicted in Trim Circuit Court in May and was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
Since then the site on Markethill’s Main Street has remained relatively quiet… as has the premises on Barrack Street – adjacent to Armagh I‘s office – which has displayed no signs of life for well over a year now.
Alderman Paul Berry attended the Markethill premises prior to September 2025, to make his own assessments of the situation.
He said at the time: “I would stress that there will be no provision opened in this centre until Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Southern Health Trust say that they meet that requirement and the building is fit for purpose.”
Then on December 19, 2025 a provisional liquidator was appointed to Even Better Value Enterprises Ltd (EBVEL) – trading as Good People – in Ireland.
Most recently in Markethill, there have been renewed signs of life… According to one eagle-eyed resident the company are “again advertising for staff in the window of Hebron House, conducting works and have a number of folk living at the property”.
They said: “Folk in Markethill are highly concerned. There’s a lot of secrecy in their activities and local Cllrs are also highly concerned. None of it makes sense and his and his companies’ track record speaks for itself.”
Armagh I contacted The Southern Health Trust to see if all checks and certification had been completed on their end regarding suitability of the premises.
A spokesperson for the Trust replied: ““There has been no further communication to SHSCT from the provider.”
Attempts made to contact Pastor Chimbganda for comment were unsuccessful.
RQIA have also been contacted for comment. Updates will be published when made available.
