Taoiseach 'deeply concerned' by suspected criminal damage done to properties due to house asylum seekers
In Showing House The Of Blaze Hotel Video At Twitter/x Screengrab A A Picture: Ross Galway Lake
The Taoiseach has said that he is "deeply concerned" about reports of suspected criminal damage done to properties around the country earmarked to house asylum seekers.
On Saturday night, a fire broke out at a Co Galway hotel which had been due to house 70 international protection applicants from next week.
Emergency services attended the fire at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill at around 11.35pm on Saturday.
No people were inside the privately-owned building at the time, and fire services were able to bring the blaze under control quickly.
Gardaí preserved the scene at the hotel for a technical examination and are currently investigating the incident, which they described as a "criminal damage incident by fire."
Speaking in the wake of the blaze in Galway, Leo Varadkar said there could be "no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever."
Mr Varadkar said that Ireland, like other countries, was currently "dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here, seeking protection."
"This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries," he said.
“I want to assure people we have a rules-based system and are processing applications in record time."
The Taoiseach said that all asylum-seekers who arriver here are "registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their request for asylum are examined thoroughly."
"We aim to treat them with dignity and respect while their applications are considered," he said.
Mr Varadkar said the people causing criminal damage to premises earmarked for those seeking international protection were "a very small minority. "
"I believe most people in the country empathise with those fleeing truly terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration, in general, brings to Ireland," he said.
"I hope that as we continue through the winter, we can continue to treat those arriving here with the basic dignity and decency we would want for our own."
Echoing the Taoiseach's remarks, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she was "appalled by the disturbing scenes in Galway last night."
Ms McEntee said there could be "no justification for arson" and urged anyone with information on the matter to contact gardaí.
"While people have the right to protest, people do not have the right to cause damage to property, to cause people to fear for their safety or to threaten public order," she said.
"These acts do not represent the values of Irish people.”
The Irish Refugee Council said the Galway incident “fits a clear pattern of arson attacks at locations where protection applicants were due to be accommodated or actually living”.
In calling for a full investigation into the matter, the council added: “Our unswerving solidarity and support is with all people seeking protection and refugees at this fearful time”.
It said that “leadership, local and national, is more important than ever”.
The statement continued: “The actions of a small minority will never succeed but they cannot be underestimated and this must be a turning point.
"Let us also not forget that they are in contrast to the proud history of welcome that communities across Ireland, including in Galway, have shown over the last 30 years.”
Earlier on Sunday, Minister for Integration, Roderic O'Gorman said the incident in Galway was deeply disturbing.
"Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it," he wrote in a post on social media.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding the incident at Ross Lake House Hotel to contact them at Clifden Garda Station 095 22500 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.