Bishops condemn asylum arson attacks

The Catholic Church condemned two arson attacks on a hotel in Co Roscommon where asylum seekers are due to be housed.

In a statement two bishops said the actions were “not consistent with the Gospel”.

The deliberately set fires at the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey “have caused significant upset to parishioners on both sides of the River Shannon”, said Bishop of Ardagh Francis Duffy and Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran.

“Every civilised society is bound under international law to provide shelter for refugees,” the bishops said in a joint statement, adding that the chuch often complained about standards in Ireland’s direct provision centres.