Organiser of anti-refugee protest charged over threat to burn down hotel

The man questioned about threats to burn a hotel in Athy has been charged this afternoon.

Stephen O'Rourke appeared before Naas district court and was given bail. He is due to appear in court again on February 14.

Mr O'Rourke was arrested and questioned earlier today in relation to threats made on Monday relating to the hotel on Stanhope Street in the town.

A protest is being organised to take place outside the hotel this evening, as part of a series of protests in areas including Dublin and Fermoy in Cork.

A group of refugees arrived at the hotel on Monday.

Sources said Mr O'Rourke is an active organiser on far-right social media and is also linked to a far-right political party.

Gardaí said in a statement the arrest made earlier today related to threats made on Monday.

"A man in his 30s has been arrested by Gardaí in Athy as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged threats to cause criminal damage to a residential property in Athy, County Kildare, on Monday, January 9, 2023.

"On the 9th of January, a report was made to Gardaí after a man entered a residential property on Stanhope Street in Athy and engaged in alleged threatening behaviour.

"An investigation commenced and this morning, 12th January 2023, a man in his 30s was arrested in the County Kildare area.

"He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Kildare Garda Station.

"The investigation is ongoing."