Ireland’s Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has strongly condemned a suspected arson attack on Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, County Galway. The hotel, intended to house up to 70 asylum seekers, was destroyed in the fire. The incident follows recent episodes of anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, including a xenophobic riot triggered by a knife attack in Dublin.
Varadkar expressed his concern about recent reports of damage to places designated for hosting asylum seekers and emphasized that violence, arson, or vandalism have no justification in the Republic. He acknowledged the challenges posed by an increase in the number of people seeking protection in Ireland due to factors like war, poverty, climate change, and human rights abuses in their home countries.
The Taoiseach assured the public about the rules-based system in place for vetting asylum seekers. He highlighted the thorough processing of applications, including registration, fingerprinting, checks against watch lists, and a careful examination of the circumstances surrounding their asylum requests. Varadkar aimed to address concerns regarding the vetting process and underscored the commitment to treating asylum seekers with dignity and respect.
Despite the relatively small number of asylum seekers in Ireland, they have faced vitriol and anti-immigration sentiment. The direct provision program, providing accommodation for those awaiting asylum decisions, has been a focal point of criticism. Varadkar mentioned that while the majority of people empathize with those fleeing difficult circumstances, there are pockets of discontent fueled by far-right influences and extremist views.
This incident is not the first time a facility planning to host asylum seekers has been targeted in Ireland. In 2018, similar attacks occurred, and xenophobic demonstrations have taken place in various locations. Varadkar emphasized that those carrying out such crimes represent a very small minority, and most people recognize the benefits of legal migration.
The hotel, unused for over a year, was slated to house asylum seekers as part of a government contract. A protest was held before the fire, with locals expressing fears and concerns about the presence of strangers in the area. Politicians and rights groups have denounced the rhetoric contributing to local discontent, calling for condemnation of the arson attack and the fear-mongering that preceded it.
