Fears of ‘rising threat’ posed by anti-migrant groups

Gardaí continue to investigate the fire which broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill on Saturday.

A human rights group has sounded the alarm over the rising threat posed by anti-migrant groups all around Ireland.

The warning comes in the wake of a blaze at a Galway hotel which had been earmarked for use as an asylum centre. Gardaí continue to investigate the fire which broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill on Saturday.

Doras chief executive John Lannon said migrant rights groups have been warning about escalating violence and targeted attacks “for quite a while” and, rather than getting ahead of it, he said the Government “has let this happen”.

He said politicians across the board should be condemning the fear-mongering that led to the act itself, saying it is time for politicians to act “responsibly”.

Instead, said Mr Lannon, some politicians are “essentially stoking the opposition to asylum seekers”.

He said that gardaí must “get ahead” of further attacks.

“There are far-right activists who are planning and orchestrating violence around the country and they’re gaining strength,” he said. “That needs to be tackled.”

In addition to the incident in Galway, a number of people in Fermoy, Co Cork, continued to protest on Monday over the possible use of a building in the town for refugees, while a group of people also attended a premises in Ringsend, Dublin, amid an inaccurate rumour that it was to be used for asylum seekers, before dispersing.

Some social media users posted messages urging people to set fire to the premises; it has, in fact, been earmarked for homeless services in the area.

Locals in Rosscahill said they are horrified over Saturday night’s events.

Afshin Samali is a professor of cancer biology at the University of Galway. A former refugee, he lives 2km from the hotel and was “shocked” by the incident.

Speaking from his family home, he told the Irish Examiner: “The community is shaken that this event is now confirmed to be arson.

“The neighbours I have spoken to have said they are shocked and scared and worried that this can happen in our neighbourhood.

“This is a quiet and friendly community and people look out for each other, and it’s beautiful and picturesque, you feel safe walking around. This has upset us.”

Those responsible for the attack “will be held accountable”, said Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Asked if she believed the incident would lead to copycat incidents, Ms McEntee said arson is a criminal offence, for which there are “very strong penalties”.

“The vast majority of protests that have taken place have been peaceful, but as a Government, there is a very clear message that this won’t be tolerated, and the gardaí themselves have said this won’t be tolerated,” said Ms McEntee.

Despite the incident being the latest in a string of suspected attacks on properties earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants, Ms McEntee said gardaí could not predict “every single incident that might arise”.

Two Fianna Fáil councillors in Galway — Noel Thomas and Séamus Walsh — were reprimanded for their comments following the fire.

Mr Thomas had said Ireland should stop accepting asylum seekers as the “inn is full”.

Mr Walsh had said while the cause of the fire is unknown, if it is criminal damage, it is due to the “senseless policy of the Government”.

“The people are living in fear, and if it was done maliciously, it is absolutely the fear for the safety and wellbeing of their families that drove people to this,” said Mr Walsh.

In response, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson said “the dignity of every person must be respected, regardless of background”.

“We do not accept any equivocation in respect of any criminal acts and do not accept attempts or suggestions being made to equate migration with increased criminality,” said the spokesperson, confirming that the councillors were reprimanded.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also rejected assertions that the Government is “rolling out the red carpet” for asylum seekers, adding that Ireland runs a “rules-based” system of immigration.