LAST UPDATE | 1 Nov 2025

MINISTER FOR JUSTICE Jim O’Callaghan has condemned what he called a criminal attack after an International Protection centre was set on fire in Drogheda last night.

O’Callaghan said “fireworks were thrown into the building, causing a fire and putting lives at risk” as a result.

Gardaí were alerted to the fire at around 8:15pm. Firefighters rescued five people, including three children under ten, from the top floor of the building in the town’s George’s Street area.

The building provided housing to people seeking asylum in Ireland’s International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) system.

As a result of the blaze, 28 residents are now homeless and are receiving support from gardaí, with Louth County Council also providing assistance.

O’Callaghan said it was a “terrifying ordeal” for the women and children living in the apartments, a number of whom were taken to hospital.

The occupants of the property were safely evacuated, gardaí said, and a number were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for medical assessment. It’s understood these residents were assessed for smoke inhalation.

“I condemn the criminal attack on a building accommodating people applying for international protection in Drogheda last night,” O’Callaghan said this morning.

“A full Garda investigation into this arson attack is underway. There will be serious consequences for those responsible.”

Alternative accommodation is now being sourced for the residents affected, the Fianna Fáil minister added.

Condemnation by Taoiseach and Opposition TDs

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he condemns “in the strongest terms the deeply disturbing incident at the IPAS centre in Drogheda”.

“To put vulnerable families, including young children, at risk is abhorrent and has no place in our society. Our thoughts are with those affected by this horrifying experience,” he said.

Local Labour TD Ged Nash commented the actions of the Fire Service and gardaí in evacuating the families to safety.

Nash said it was “chilling and sinister” that the attack was the result of arson, as outlined by the minister earlier this morning.

Let’s be clear. Small babies were hospitalised overnight. The deaths of children, of families, was avoided last night thanks to the response of the Fire Service and gardaí.

With that intervention or if the fire occurred only a matter of hours later, then “we could in all probability be dealing with an unspeakable catastrophe this morning”, Nash said.

In a post on X, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy criticised fellow politicians who he said “are contributing to an atmosphere” where such incidents can take place by trying to blame asylum seekers for issues facing the country.

Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon urged that politicians and others with a platform “to do all in our power to de-escalate this hatred that is leading to violence on this scale”.

“This cannot be allowed to continue, lives are going to be lost if Government don’t act fast,” the Dublin Central TD said.

We are living through some very dark times and the onus is on every person with a platform, to do all in our power to de-escalate this hatred that is leading to violence on this scale.

This cannot be allowed to continue, lives are going to be lost if government don’t act fast. https://t.co/00pj9Eo4sY

— Gary Gannon TD (@GaryGannonTD) November 1, 2025

Gardaí have urged any witnesses or anyone who may have information to come forward.

With reporting by Niall O’Connor and Eoghan Dalton