DUBLIN – Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar expressed his “deep concern” on Sunday over reports of suspected criminal damage to properties earmarked to accommodate migrants, including a fire at a former hotel in county Galway overnight.
Police said on Sunday that they were investigating an “incident of criminal damage by fire” which happened at a former hotel in the small western village of Rosscahill shortly before midnight on Saturday.
A video broadcast by national broadcaster RTE and the Irish Times showed flames engulfing the premises, with parts of the building destroyed.
No one was in the building at the time, police said.
Protesters had gathered earlier on Saturday to block the entrance to the hotel in opposition to government plans to house 70 asylum seekers there from next week, RTE reported.
“I am deeply concerned by recent reports of suspected criminal damage to a number of properties across the country that have been earmarked to accommodate those seeking international asylum here, including in County Galway last night,” Varadkar said in a statement.
“There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. A Garda (police) investigation is ongoing.”
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he was “deeply concerned” after a fire broke out at a property reserved for migrants in County Galway. Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images
Similar, mostly peaceful campaigns have grown across the country in recent months as Ireland tries to accommodate a record number of refugees amid a housing crisis.
The government agency responsible for housing asylum seekers began handing out tents to some new arrivals last week after running out of places to stay.
Unprecedented riots also erupted in Dublin last month after a small group of far-right activists attacked police following the stabbing of three young children by a man identified by Irish newspapers as Algerian-born.
Varadkar sought to reassure the public that all asylum seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against a watch list, and the circumstances surrounding their requests thoroughly scrutinized.
“The response from many communities has been incredible. We have seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. The people who commit these crimes are a very small minority,” he said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
