McEntee: Group using arson to 'sow division and fear' in communities
An arson attack was carried out on a building in Ringsend in Dublin which had been earmarked for housing members of the homeless community.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said that a "group of people" in Irish society are committing criminal arson attacks on properties as a means of "sowing division and fear through intimidation."
Ms McEntee said that An Garda Síochána are doing "everything possible to investigate recent attacks of arson around the country".
On New Year's Eve, an arson attack was carried out on a building in Ringsend in Dublin which had been earmarked for housing members of the homeless community.
False rumours had circulated online that asylum-seekers would be housed at the vacant Shipwright pub, but the Dublin Region Homeless Executive has confirmed it was for homeless families.
On December 16, a hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway - which had been due to house 70 asylum seekers - was .
Nobody was inside the Ross Lake House Hotel when it was set alight, but substantial damage was done to the property.
To date, gardaí have gathered more than 140 statements and seized a number of exhibits as part of the investigation into the fire.
Earlier this week, gardaí in Tipperary launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack on a former primary school. The fire at the disused school in Fethard broke out at around 9.20pm on Wednesday.
In a statement, gardaí said they were "aware of possible misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use" of the derelict building.
A spokesperson for the Department of Integration said it "had neither considered nor examined" the property in Fethard for use as accommodation.
Speaking this afternoon, the Justice Minister strongly condemned "these criminal acts of arson."
Ms McEntee said there could "never be justification for such acts, regardless of circumstances or alleged motivation."
She also said has been in regular contact with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, and had reassured him that "any resources required will be made available" to him.
"An Garda Síochána is doing everything possible to investigate recent acts of arson," the Minister said.
"I understand they are making good progress in their investigations and I encourage anyone with any information in relation to any of the incidents to contact them."
She also said gardaí were "continually monitoring emerging threats", including monitoring social media activity, and "stepping up policing responses as necessary".
"I also ask anyone with information either on past incidents or about possible upcoming threats to contact their local gardaí."
Ms McEntee said that An Garda Síochána and the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have been "working closely together to ensure effective policing plans are in place wherever there is an identified operational need".
"Where accommodation centres are being established, IPAS notifies and engages with local communities through their Community Engagement Team in advance," she said.
Ms McEntee added that she and her department were "fully committed to the fight against racism and bigotry and strongly condemn the actions of those who abuse and attack others because of their own prejudices."
She added: "Ireland is a diverse and tolerant country, and such behaviour is not acceptable."
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