LAST UPDATE | 17 Dec 2023

THE TAOISEACH, TÁNAISTE and a number of ministers have said they are disturbed by a suspected arson attack on a hotel earmarked for asylum seekers in Co Galway.

The blaze started at around 11.35pm last night at the Ross Lake Hotel in Rosscahill, requiring the fire services to attend the scene and bring the fire under control.

There were no people inside the building at the time of the incident. Gardaí are investigating how the fire started. 

In a statement released this afternoon, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in County Galway last night.

There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda investigations are underway.

“Even with robust border controls, extra checks at airports, faster processing times and record numbers of refusals, like much of the world we are dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here, seeking protection.

“This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries.”

Varadkar said he wanted to “assure people we have a rules-based system and are processing applications in record time”.

All asylum seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their request for asylum are examined thoroughly.

“We aim to treat them with dignity and respect while their applications are considered.”

He added that the response from many communities to asylum seekers has been “incredible”.

“We’ve seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. The people carrying out these crimes are a very small minority.

“I believe most people in the country empathise with those fleeing truly terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration, in general, brings to Ireland.

“I hope that as we continue through the winter, we can continue to treat those arriving here with the basic dignity and decency we would want for our own.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also condemned the incident, tweeting: “There is never any excuse or place for violence, hatred or intimidation.”

I utterly condemn the criminal destruction at Ross Lake House Hotel in Galway.

There is never any excuse or place for violence, hatred or intimidation. Those responsible for this criminal act do not speak for their community or this country.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 17, 2023

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she is “appalled by the disturbing scenes in Galway last night”.

“There is no justification for arson. A Garda investigation is underway. I urge anyone with information about this matter to contact the Garda Confidential line or any Garda Station.

“In recent times, so many communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity to those who come here seeking shelter and protection.

“While people have the right to protest, people do not have the right to cause damage to property, to cause people to fear for their safety or to threaten public order.

“These acts do not represent the values of Irish people,” McEntee said in a statement.

The Ross Lake Hotel, which is roughly 20km from Galway city and on the outskirts of Connemara, has not been in use for a number of years but was due to welcome 70 international protection applicants over the coming days.

The site has been the subject of protests in recent days against the use of the hotel for asylum seekers.

Gardaí have launched an investigation into what they called a “criminal damage incident” and have preserved the scene for a technical examination.

‘Deeply disturbing’

Earlier today Minister for Children and Integration Roderic O’Gorman, whose department has responsibility for sourcing accommodation for the crisis, said the fire was “deeply disturbing”.

He called on fellow politicians to condemn “fear mongering” around the use of accommodation for asylum seekers.

“Deeply disturbing news from Galway last night,” O’Gorman said on X, formerly Twitter.

“Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it.”

Deeply disturbing news from Galway last night.

Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it.https://t.co/DZNz7CzYTI

— Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) December 17, 2023

Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin also tweeted about the incident, saying: “This is not who we are as a people. We are so much better than this. We must not tolerate this hatred!”

A spokesperson said the Department of Integration “is working to offer shelter to those who are fleeing war and persecution, and condemns any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants”.

In a statement to The Journal, the spokesperson added: “All those seeking protection have a right to safety while their application is examined.

“The Department also strongly condemns any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. Acts such as these achieve nothing but endanger people’s lives and homes.”

‘Pure intimidation’

Pauline O’Reilly, a Green Party Senator based in Galway, said she is “utterly disgusted” by the fire.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1′s This Week, O’Reilly said: “All of the actions that have taken place there are pure intimidation, and I’m utterly disgusted by the fire that’s broken out.

I don’t think that this is representative of Galway people.

“And I think that what people have to remember is it’s not only those who are coming legally seeking refuge, but also all of those that have come to our country – and the kind of fear that this instills in people, I don’t think is in any way acceptable.

“There are ways [to raise concerns] – by speaking to your politicians and getting your point across – but blockading a place and making people feel unwelcome when they are being legally accommodated somewhere is is unacceptable,” she said.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact them at Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.