Suspected arson attack at Rooskey hotel 'a sad day for Ireland of a thousand welcomes'

"A sad day for Ireland of a thousand welcomes," is how one local councillor reacted to the shocking news of tonight's suspected arson attack at the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey which had been designated as a possible direct provision centre.

Sinn Féin Councillor Seadhna Logan tweeted, "If this is indeed malicious like the incident in Donegal in December its a sad day for Ireland of a thousand welcomes."

Fire crews from Roscommon and Leitrim fought the blaze which is believed to have broken out shortly before 8pm and it was quickly brought under control.

The scene has since been sealed off by investigating Gardaí, with personnel from ESB Networks also on hand to assist.  

Rooskey is situated on the Leitrim / Roscommon border, with the hotel located on the Leitrim side of the village.  

Traffic diversions are currently in place in Rooskey at the Shannon Key West Hotel (R371). Expect delays approaching from both the Aghamore direction and the Newtownforbes direction.

#LEITRIM #ROSCOMMON Diversions in place at Shannon Key West Hotel in Roosky. More Here: https://t.co/ipFDM8svNY

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) January 10, 2019

ALSO READ: Emergency services at scene of fire at Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey

Fire services at the scene of a fire at the former Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey - the venue for a possible direct provision centre. If this is indeed malicious like the incident in Donegal in December its a sad day for Ireland of a thousand welcomes @LeitrimToday #Refugees

— Seadhna Logan (@Seadhnalogan) January 10, 2019

Gardaí treating hotel fire in Rooskey as arson. Fire crews from #Leitrim and #Roscommon remain at scene with @ESBNetworks - Photos via @eoghanymurphy on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/IgEMJgYeJd

— Emergency Times (@emergencytimes) January 10, 2019