Locals rally to refugees after blaze at centre

LOCAL people rallied last night to pledge that refugees will still be welcomed to Donegal town of Moville. It followed a sinister arson attack in the early hours of yesterday morning at the site where the asylum seekers are to be housed.

About 150 people turned up at a local meeting, just hours after the blaze, calling for the Caiseal Mara Hotel to be repaired or alternative accommodation in the area to be found.

And Martin Farren, a member of Donegal County Council, said he had spoken to an official at the Reception and Integration Agency, and had been told that plans to locate the direct provision centre at the hotel will still go ahead.

‘He said he will assess the damage and will assess when the building can be ready for these people but it will still be going ahead,’ the councillor told the gathering.

The first 20 to 30 refugees were due to arrive

Owner and daughter in hotel when fire started

early next month, but that timeline has been put in doubt after the attack that gutted the hotel’s reception, caused severe smoke damage throughout the building and attracted unwelcome media attention.

One man, believed to be the owner, was taken to Letterkenny Hospital after trying to put out the flames. The owner had been in the hotel with his daughter when the fire was started but neither received life-threatening injuries.

Garda Inspector Goretti Sheridan said the blaze had been started deliberately.

There have been no arrests yet as gardaí in Buncrana appeal for witnesses.

There have been attacks on asylum centres in other parts of Europe but it is believed that this is the first such event in Ireland. It was widely condemned across the political spectrum.

Many of those who attended the meeting in Moville’s Methodist Hall, organised by Fáilte Inishowen, said they were horrified by what had happened in their town.

All who spoke at the meeting said the asylum seekers should still come to Moville.