Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has criticised the “criminals” behind the torching of a former care home in County Dublin.
Some people had staged protests near the building in Crooksling recently believing that it was to be used as accommodation for refugees. It’s the latest building earmarked for asylum seekers to suffer an arson attack.
Dublin Fire Brigade were made aware that the building was alight at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The taoiseach said: “I am very concerned to learn about the fire at a former nursing home in Crooksling. In recent weeks there have been disturbing reports of suspected criminal damage at properties around the country. There is never any justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our republic.”
He added: “It is deeply ironic that some of those who try to link migration with crime engage in serious criminal activity themselves.
“I want to assure people that we have a rules-based immigration system. Applications for international protection are now being processed in record time. All applications are registered, fingerprinted, checked against certain databases, and the circumstances surrounding their request for protection are examined thoroughly.”
Varadkar said that like “much of the world” the Irish government was “dealing with a major increase in the numbers arriving here”.
“Many, if not most, are fleeing conflict, grinding poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries. We have robust border controls, extra checks at airports and faster processing times.
“The response from many communities has been incredible. We’ve seen homes, schools, clubs and communities open up to help those most in need.
“The people carrying out crimes are a very small minority who seek to blame others for their own problems. I believe most people empathise with those fleeing terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration brings to Ireland.”
