A vacant property in Co Kildare has been damaged in a suspected arson attack after misinformation circulated locally that the building was earmarked for accommodating asylum seekers.
Gardaí are investigating the suspected arson attack on the seven-bed house, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The property is located on Celbridge Road, Leixlip, Co Kildare. Emergency services attending a fire at the site at 1.30am.
The 5,000 square foot, privately-owned residence, known as Honeywood, was sold last May for €1.06 million. It was bought by a company that was set up in late 2022, according to land registry records.
Substantial damage appeared to have been done to the front of the house and to a room opposite the entrance, but the back showed little sign of damage. The house is surrounded by a high wall and is adjacent to the Forest Park estate in Leixlip and also near a small shopping centre.
Rumours had circulated online that the vacant property was planned to be used to accommodate asylum seekers. The Department of Integration said on Wednesday the rumours were false.
Several people have been protesting outside the property in recent days, holding banners with anti-immigration slogans, according to images posted on social media.
The house has been targeted by two other attempted arson attacks in recent weeks which failed to cause any damage.
Last month, it was also subject to a break-in by at least one anti-immigration activist. That person posted photographs on social media of the empty house and a pile of mattresses, claiming without evidence it was going to be used to house male asylum seekers.
Those photographs fuelled online speculation in the locality that the building was going to be used to house male asylum seekers, alongside claims that they would be “unvetted” and “military aged”.
In a statement, Garda Headquarters said no one was injured in the fire, but the property was substantially damaged.
“Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred in Leixlip, Co Kildare in the early hours of this morning,” the statement said. “An Garda Síochána is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use.”
Based on initial indications gardaí suspect the fire is the latest in a series of arson attacks targeting vacant properties due to be used to house asylum seekers, or incorrectly rumoured to be earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation.
The scene has been sealed off ahead of a full technical examination by investigators.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has vowed that the Government will “crack down” on those responsible for the arson attacks.
Speaking in the United States, where he is on the second day of his visit to meet politicians on Capitol Hill, he said: “It seems to me that a campaign is developing of arson and criminality. Government will review this situation to see if tougher measures are required, greater deterrents required to stop this activity.”
In a statement, the Department of Integration said the property “was not under consideration for use” to house asylum seekers.
“The Department condemns all acts of intimidation and criminality committed by the small minority who want to sow division in our society,” it added.
“Arson is a very serious crime which carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear, or to threaten public order. There can never be justification for such acts, regardless of circumstances or alleged motivation.”
Two local residents at the scene said they had been told that 70 single male asylum seekers were going to be accommodated in the house.
“We are distraught about what happened,” another local woman said, criticising those who had held protests outside the property. “Some of them said they were frightened by what happened to Aisling Murphy, but he [her killer Jozef Puska] had a right to be here.”
Local Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said she was told on January 25th by the Department of Integration that the property was not being considered for asylum seekers.
She shared the information with local residents groups. “Anybody who made contact with me were given that information. I would have given that information too to people in the housing estates locally.”
Ms Murphy said she was “horrified” about what had happened.
The former Crooksling nursing home, which was also known as St Brigid’s, in south Dublin, near Brittas, was destroyed by fire on Sunday. Gardaí strongly suspect the building was set on fire deliberately by those opposed to its possible use as asylum seeker accommodation.
Meanwhile, gardaí in Co Wicklow have been made aware of threats to burn down the former Eir depot in Croghan Industrial Estate in Arklow in south Co Wicklow, amid local rumours it is to be used as international protection accommodation. Protests have been organised outside the site and threats of arson have been made online.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information about the Leixlip attack to contact them. Investigators are seeking to speak to anyone who was in the area near Celbridge Road or Forest Park between 12.30am and 2am on Wednesday morning.
Anyone who witnessed unusual activity in the area during that time, or road users who had travelled through and may have camera or dash cam footage, has been asked to contact Leixlip Garda station 01 666 7800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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