Green Party finds Garda view of 'copycat' fires at centres linked to asylum seekers 'deeply frustrating'

Patrick Costello, Dublin South Central TD for the junior partner in the Government, said 'there is a clear systemic pattern here' to the fires

Gardaí at the scene of St Brigid's Nursing Home in Crooksling where it was set on fire earlier this month. Protests had been held in the area beforehand amid speculation that the premises was earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers. File photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

The Green Party’s justice spokesman has said it is “deeply frustrating and deeply dangerous” that An Garda Síochána do not see there is a “clear, systematic pattern” behind the arson attacks on centres linked to asylum seekers.

Patrick Costello, Dublin South Central TD for the junior partner in the Government, told Justice Minister Helen McEntee that gardaí, from the commissioner down, “dismissed” the suggestion of any kind of organisation behind the fires.

Responding to him in the Dáil, Ms McEntee said gardaí were treating the matter seriously and that they were “absolutely committed” to bringing those behind the attacks to justice. She said that to bring charges, whether against those who “light the match” or those who plan or aid the attack, requires a “huge amount of evidence”.

Mr Costello said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had described the various arson incidents at lone wolf attacks or “copycat” fires.

“I think his exact words were something like there’s ‘no guiding hand’," he said, "but there is a clear systemic pattern here where there are a small group of people who are pointing out new centres, who are pointing out centres that are being prepared for use and, within days, they are set on fire.

He claimed that gardaí were “just not facing up" to reality and “dismissed any kind of organisation” behind the fires.

“This organisation behind these attacks is ultimately a threat to our democracy," he said. "It represents a complete breakdown in law and order and it is deeply, deeply frustrating, but also deeply, deeply dangerous that the gardaí do not see this pattern here, that they do not acknowledge that this is a wider issue that needs a significantly stronger response."

In a statement last week, Garda HQ said 10 arrests have been made as part of arson investigations. Garda sources have said the political interventions were putting pressure on Garda management, but said the politicians should leave gardaí get on with their job of gathering evidence.

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Gardaí still insist the fires are “copycat” rather than “co-ordinated” but do say local people involved in the attacks were being “riled up” and “influenced” by prominent far-right agitators online.

Responding to Mr Costello, Ms McEntee said the key issue for gardaí in monitoring the online activity of key people was whether or not their posts “cross the threshold” into criminal behaviour, as opposed to harmful behaviour.

“I want to assure the deputy that the gardaí do monitor this type of behaviour. They monitor the protests and they monitor what’s being said online, but in order to get prosecutions you need to have a huge amount of evidence.” 

She cited an example overnight where gardaí alerted a property owner over online reports asylum seekers were supposed to be moving in there and increased security. She said it was not possible for gardaí to stand outside every vacant property.

“I would stress gardaí are absolutely committed to making sure that people who are responsible for these vile acts that they are held accountable,” the minister said.