Minister ‘deeply concerned’ by second fire at asylum seeker hotel in five weeks
JUSTICE Minister Charlie Flanagan has expressed “deep concern” about a second fire in just five weeks at a hotel in the midlands earmarked for asylum seekers.
Mr Flanagan spoke as gardaí confirmed they are now investigating the suspicious incident at the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey, Co Leitrim.
There were two security guards and a foreman at the hotel when the attack took place at the building on the banks of the River Shannon.
At around 9.45pm on Monday, gardaí based at Carrick-on-Shannon were alerted to reports of a blaze at the hotel.
It was previously targeted in a suspected arson attack just over four weeks ago.
The hotel is due to be sold but at the moment is leased out with plans to use it as a direct provision centre for asylum seekers until December.
“I am deeply concerned and disappointed at the reports of the fire,” Mr Flanagan said.
“This behaviour represents an unacceptable and worrying development and should be condemned by all.”
Speaking at the scene yesterday, Superintendent Kevin English said the attacks “were not spontaneous”.
“Shortly after 9.45pm, gardaí in Carrick-on-Shannon received a call of a fire at the Shannon Key hotel,” the senior garda said.
“When we arrived at the scene a number of fire tenders were already in attendance from Mohil and Strokestown.
“I am satisfied at this stage that two on-site security personally quickly detected the fire inside and managed to extinguish the fire and minimise it to one bedroom and to an adjoining reception area that only suffered smoke damage.”
Speaking about the two suspicious incidents at the hotel, Supt Kevin English said: “I’m keeping the investigations into both fires independent beyond obviously the intent to burn on both occasions.
“The suspects had to be operating in this area for a number of days. These were not spontaneous attacks.”
Members of the Leitrim and Roscommon United Against Racism group condemned the fire last night, describing the incident as “horrifying”.
The owner of the hotel, James Kiernan, was not available for comment.
After the previous incident he told of his upset at the damage caused.
Local residents and their representatives all condemned the attack on the hotel, saying it was giving the village a bad name.
“It is a disgrace what happened here in our village, it is an awful shame,” said local resident Eileen Heavin.
“Rooskey was always a lovely respectable village. We need the hotel and any business it brings, and if that means asylum seekers then I have no problem with that.
“We are not racists here.”
‘This was always a lovely village, we are not racists here’