A LITANY OF SHAME: BUILDINGS TARGETED
CRIME CORRESPONDENT
OVER the past 12 months there have been more than a dozen suspected arson attacks on refugee accommodation and buildings earmarked, or rumoured to be earmarked, for international protection applicants. But so far there has not been a single arrest in connection with any of these incidents.
1. JANUARY 30, 2023, RAWLTON HOUSE, DUBLIN:
A former boys’ school at Sherrard Street went up in flames following a suspected arson attack. Rumours that Rawlton House had been designated for refugee accommodation circulated on social media, but the Department of Integration later said the building was never earmarked to house international protection applicants.
2. MAY 11, 2023, LUDDEN, BUNCRANA, CO. DONEGAL:
An accommodation centre being built by former presidential candidate Peter Casey for Ukrainian refugees was set alight.
3. MAY 12, 2023, SANDWITH STREET, DUBLIN:
Tents belonging to homeless refugees at a makeshift camp at Sandwith Street in Dublin were set alight after demonstrations by antimigrant protesters. Footage of the scene was shared widely online and captured tents and furniture on fire.
4. MAY 15, 2023, BUNCRANA, CO. DONEGAL:
A firework was thrown at the direct provision centre at The Sailor’s Rest in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, terrifying the 50 residents inside.
5. JULY 27, 2023, BALLINCOLLIG, CO. CORK:
Three people wearing balaclavas entered former Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin in Ballincollig, after it was earmarked for use by Ukrainian refugees. The damage was described as minor by firefighters.
6. AUGUST 14, 2023, BALLYBRACK, DUBLIN:
A vacant building at Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack that had been rumoured to become housing for asylum seekers was set on fire. Gardaí said Ridge Hall was set alight deliberately.
7. NOVEMBER 23, 2023, DUBLIN CITY CENTRE:
Violent mobs targeted various locations being used to house asylum seekers after the capital’s streets erupted in chaos following the stabbing of children outside a school. The Holiday Inn Express at Cathal Brugha Street in the north city was set on fire because rioters believed immigrants were inside.
8. NOVEMBER 23, 2023, FINGLAS, DUBLIN:
On the same night in Finglas, a petrol bomb was thrown into a premises earmarked for refugees, setting part of it on fire.
9. NOVEMBER 30, 2023, ROSSLARE, CO. WEXFORD:
The former Great Southern Hotel in
Rosslare, Co. Wexford, which is being developed into a direct provision centre, was the scene of a suspected arson attack.
10. DECEMBER 14, 2023, ROSSCAHILL, CO. GALWAY:
The disused Ross Lake House Hotel near Oughterard was set ablaze just days before it had been due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers.
11. NEW YEAR’S EVE, 2023, RINGSEND, DUBLIN:
A major fire erupted at the former Shipwright pub which was due to accommodate homeless families. Gardaí believe the fire was started deliberately. The incident followed false rumours that spread on social media saying the premises would be used to accommodate asylum seekers.
12. JANUARY 3, 2024, FETHARD, CO. TIPPERARY:
A former national school was set ablaze after rumours spread that the building, which had been derelict for several years, was going to be repurposed for use as accommodation for asylum seekers.
13. JANUARY 7, 2024, SANDYFORD, DUBLIN:
A building was targeted in another arson attack just hours after footage was posted online of anti-immigration protesters approaching builders working at the site. Footage from a far-right agitator claimed the building was going to be used to house international protection applicants.