Two men and two women have been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack at a hotel earmarked for asylum seekers in Rosscahill, Co Galway last December.

The two men have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and are being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The men are reported as being in their 40s and 50s.

The maximum sentence for an offence under the Criminal Damage act is 10 years, along with a €10,000 fine.

The two female suspects, also in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

As with the Criminal Damages Act, someone convicted under the Offences Against the State act could face up to 10 years imprisonment.

The four suspects were arrested on Thursday morning as part of a Garda operation. They are all currently being held at a Garda station in the northwestern region.

Gardaí have said that the investigation is ongoing.