Fire at a Donegal hotel being prepared for asylum seekers

A fire broke out in a Donegal hotel in the early hours of yesterday morning in what many believe is an arson attack to deter the hotel from being used as a residence for asylum seekers.

100 asylum seekers were meant to live in the Caiseal Mara Hotel on Foyle Street in Moville over the coming months, with the first group of about 20-30 people due to arrive next week. The hotel was set to become a centre to shelter a number of people living in Direct Provision.

Gardaí are investigating the large fire that broke out at about 4:30 am on Sunday morning in the hotel, from which there was extensive damage to the premises. Gardaí have said that a man in his 50s was taken to Letterkenny hospital for treatment from the blaze.

Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan condemned the supposed arson attack as “a despicable incident and could have led to very serious tragedy.” The Minister of State for Equality and Integration David Stanton also expressed his disappointment at the attack, saying “That people would target such a building in this way is deeply shameful. This action is not at all representative of the welcome of the overwhelming majority of people in both Donegal and Ireland as a whole.”

Gardaí are urging anyone with information to get in contact with Buncrana Garda Station on (074) 9320540.

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