INTIMIDATION TACTICS AND WILFUL DESTRUCTION
GARDAÍ confirmed the first arrests into eight arson attacks of refugee accommodation and buildings rumoured to be earmarked for asylum seekers.
In a statement issued this week, gardaí said 10 suspects have not been arrested in relation to ‘arson’ attacks. However, this figure included two arrests in Killarney,
Co. Kerry, in connection with an incident in which the door of an accommodation centre was damaged, and was not connected to 18 arson attacks currently under investigation. Despite this, RTÉ also reported on Thursday that 10 people had been arrested in connection with arson attacks on asylum accommodation.
January 30, 2023 Rawlton House, Dublin:
A former boy’s school on Sherrard Street in Dublin went up in flames following a suspected arson attack. Rumours on social media claimed Rawlton House had been allocated for refugee accommodation, but the
Department of Integration later said the building was never earmarked to house international protection applicants. Investigation status: No arrests.
May 11, 2023,
Ludden, Co. Donegal:
An accommodation centre being built by former presidential candidate Peter Casey for Ukrainian refugees was set alight. Investigation status: No arrests. gardaí to co ordinated
May 12, 2023
Sandwith Street, Dublin:
Tents belonging to homeless refugees at a makeshift camp on Sandwith Street in Dublin were set alight after demonstrations by anti-migrant protesters. Investigation status: Gardaí this week confirmed ‘five persons have been arrested and detained’ in connection with the incident.
May 15, 2023
Buncrana, Co. Donegal:
A firework is thrown at the direct provision centre at the Sailor’s Rest, terrifying the 50 residents living inside. Investigation status: No arrests.
July 27, 2023 Ballincollig, Co. Cork:
Three people wearing balaclavas entered former Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin in Ballincollig, Co. Cork after it was earmarked to be used for accommodating
Ukrainian refugees. The damage was described as minor. Investigation status: No arrests.
August 14, 2023 Ballybrack, Dublin:
A vacant building on the Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack that had been rumoured to become housing for asylum seekers was set on fire. Ridge Hall was set on fire deliberately. Investigation status: No arrests.
November 23, 2023 Dublin city centre:
Violent mobs targeted a number of locations 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 on Cathal Brugha Street was set on fire. Investigation status: No arrests.
November 23, 2023 Finglas, Dublin:
On the same night in Finglas, a petrol bomb was thrown into a
premises earmarked for refugees.
Investigation status: No arrests.
November 23, 2023
Rawlton House, Dublin.
A second arson attack on Rawlton House on November 23 by masked men with petrol bombs. Investigation status: No arrests.
November 30, 2023
Rosslare, Co. Wexford:
The former Great Southern Hotel in Rosslare, Co. Wexford, which is being developed into a direct provision centre, is the target of a suspected arson attack. Investigation status: No arrests.
December 14, 2023 Rosscahill, Co. Galway:
The disused Ross Lake House Hotel was set ablaze just days before it was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers. Investigation status: No arrests.
New Year’s Eve, 2023 Ringsend, Dublin:
A major fire erupted at the former Shipwright pub due to accommodate homeless families, which gardaí believe was started deliberately. It followed false rumours spread on social media that the premises would be used to accommodate asylum seekers. Investigation status: Gardaí this week confirmed a woman and two men were arrested in connection with the fire.
January 3, 2024 Fethard, Tipperary:
A former school was set ablaze after rumours spread that the derelict building would be repurposed as accommodation for asylum seekers.
Investigation status: No arrests.
January 7, 2024 Sandyford, Dublin:
A building was targeted in another arson attack, just hours after footage was posted online of antiimmigration protesters approaching builders working at the site. Investigation status: No arrests.
January 16, 2024 Lanesboro, Co. Longford:
Fire at Lanesboro Convent earmarked to house Ukrainian refugees fleeing war was quickly brought under control and the building escaped without damage. Investigation status: No arrests.
February 1, 2024 Leixlip, Co. Kildare:
First attempt to burn down a residential housing falsely rumoured to be earmarked as an accommodation centre. Investigation status: No arrests
February 4, 2024 Brittas, Co. Dublin:
A huge fire broke out at St Brigid’s Nursing Home in Crooksling, near Brittas, early last Sunday morning. Investigation status: No arrests.
February 7, 2024 Leixlip, Co. Kildare:
A second attempt to burn down the seven-bed residential house was successful this week, despite daily patrols being carried out by gardaí. Rumours on social media and misinformation on a leaflet distributed locally claimed it was to be used to house international protection applicants.
Investigation status: No arrests.