Arson attack at site for asylum-seekers centre is condemned by local residents

Only a week after the riots in Dublin, a teleporter forklift truck worth €80,000 was burnt out during the night at the site in Rosslare, Co Wexford.

A garda forensics team gathered evidence at the site of the old Great Southern Hotel yesterday.

Security sources believe the attack was a reaction to asylum-seekers being housed there.

“Last night was a sinister development when a Molotov cocktail was used, judging by the burnt-out teleporter and glass around,” a local source said. “Is it a warning? Someone could have been injured.”

The site of the former Great Southern Hotel is being developed as an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre.

The Department of Integration has said that about 170 asylum-seekers are set to arrive in Rosslare in the coming weeks.

But the site has caused controversy, and for the past 10 days it has been picketed by local protesters objecting to the development.

There is no suggestion anyone involved in the protests carried out the suspected arson attack.

Local protestors have also voiced their condemnation of the attack. Rosslare Harbour Concerned Residents & Peaceful Protest committee member Niamh Dennis said: “We would like to have it known that the whole committee was shocked to learn that there was damage to machinery on the site.

“The gardaí are investigating and have reassured the committee that there is no question of any involvement by any member of our team of protesters, who have maintained a dignified watch over the site 24/7 and which is guarded by a security company at all times.

“The peaceful protesters from Rosslare Harbour and surrounding areas have never and will never support any form of illegal, abusive or disgusting activity.”

Independent councillor Ger Carthy said the actions of the few would not deter a community that has conducted itself in an “exemplary fashion” in its attempts to see the site of the former Great Southern Hotel developed into a nursing home, as was originally intended.

“I condemn the actions of those involved with this alleged arson, it’s not in line with the work being carried out by the community in the area,” he said.

Earlier this month, Wexford County Council issued a planning referral to An Bord Pleanála concerning alleged planning breaches at the former hotel.

These centre on the decision to change the development from a nursing home to an IPAS centre.

Gardaí confirmed yesterday that an investigation is continuing into the arson attack.

A spokesperson said: “Gardaí have received a report of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at approximately 4am today. No injuries were reported. No arrests have been made.”

The spokesperson said a policing plan is in place around the protests, and added: “This policing operation is kept under constant review by local management.”

As the Government struggles to find accommodation for refugees and asylum-seekers, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has written to Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman, warning that the failure to provide accommodation would put Ireland in breach of European and Irish law.

IHREC chief commissioner Sinéad Gibney said: “International Protection applicants, who may have experienced persecution, trauma or destitution prior to arriving in Ireland, are among the most vulnerable members of our society.

“Any refusal of shelter by the State puts these individuals at high risk on the streets, particularly in the context of increased activity by those wishing to foment anti-immigrant sentiment.”