Reactions pour in after Galway Hotel earmarked for asylum seekers burned down

Reactions have been pouring in from politicians, academics, Galweigens and the Irish Refugee Council after a hotel in Galway which was due to house 70 asylum seekers this week was set fire to.

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 although they do believe the blaze was started deliberately.

One line of investigation is that the blaze was started to ensure the hotel could not be used as a centre for asylum seekers from next Thursday, as was planned.

However, the investigation into the late-night blaze in Co Galway was at an early stage, saying it would take some time to confirm where in the building, and precisely how, the fire was started.

The Irish Refugee Council issued a statement on the fire in Rosscahill saying that the "fire fits a clear pattern of arson attacks of location where protection applicants were due to be accommodated or actually living".

The organisation also offered their "unswerving solidarity and support" to protection applicants.

In a statement released this afternoon, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was "deeply concerned" about the fire.

The Taoiseach continued to say that there were 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.

Mr Varadkar further stated: "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.

Continuing the Taoiseach said: This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries.”

Galway personalities, politicians and academics have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the fire at the

Galway man and Michelin starred chef JP MacMahon posted on X regarding the fire expressing disgust:

I would rather live with a refugee than the people who set this fire going. We have very short memories. Only forty years ago we were leaving for other countries. Absolutely disgusting.#scumbags #racistshttps://t.co/GipbG09yq0

— Dr. Jp McMahon (@mistereatgalway) December 17, 2023

Minister for Children and Integration Roderic O’Gorman, whose department is responsible for sourcing accommodation for protection applicants has described the scenes at the Rosscahil as “deeply disturbing”.

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

Meanwhile one former asylum seeker posted on Twitter expressed shock "at events over the last couple of days in my neighbourhood".

Dr Afshin Samali, Professor of Biological and Chemical Sciences at University of Galway shared on X that he came to Ireland 38 years ago as a refugee.

I came to Ireland as a refugee in December 38 years ago. I received a very warm Irish welcome. The Ireland that I came to call my home has changed a lot in recent years. I am shocked at events over the last couple of days in my neighbourhood (1/6) https://t.co/VgV47cjEZt

— Afshin Samali (@Afshin_Samali) December 17, 2023

Professor Samil has worked with the University of Galway for the last 24 years.

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.