Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hit out at those who set fire to a building in Dublin that was due to be used as emergency accommodation for homeless families.
The suspected arson took place at a building in Ringsend. Last month the building – the former Shipwright pub – was the scene of anti-immigrant protests.
“The incident in Ringsend is under investigation by An Garda Síochána, which is doing everything it can to determine the cause of the fire,” said Varadkar.
“If this was the result of a deliberate act, all efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone with information should contact the gardaí. The premises was intended for us as emergency accommodation for families.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said “arson is a very serious crime which carries heavy prison sentences. No-one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order. An Garda Síochána are doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire.”
The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive planned to use the building for emergency accommodation.
“If we cannot open facilities, there is a risk that families will not have access to basic shelter,” a spokesperson said.
It is believed that those who set fire to the building believed it was to be used to house asylum seekers. There have been several similar incidents in recent months.
Fine Gael councillor Danny Byrne condemned those behind blaze and said public representatives were not informed about plans for the former pub.
“It’s the responsibility of these organisations to inform the local community about what’s going in there,” he said.
“We’re told now the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive had plans for a homeless hub there. That should have been clearly outlined from the beginning to the local community, to the local public reps, but it wasn’t.”
