Probe into fire at vacant property wrongly linked to housing for asylum seekers

Detectives are investigating a suspected arson attack at a vacant house in Co Kildare, which was wrongly rumoured to be planned accommodation for asylum seekers.

The building, according to gardai, was the subject of a “significant volume” of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to its use or intended purpose.

The seven-bedroom detached house in Leixlip was linked to housing for asylum seekers.

It is understood that protests have taken place outside the property in recent weeks.

Rumours were spread on social media in recent days that the property was earmarked to house international protection applicants.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on properties that have been linked to housing for refugees.

It comes days after vacant buildings in Brittas in Co Dublin were set alight.

Demonstrations have been staged in the area recently by people who believed the buildings at Crooksling, off the Blessington Road, were to be used to accommodate refugees.

The latest attack is the 19th fire linked to anti-immigrant protests in the last year.

Gardai said they were alerted to a fire at the vacant residential property on Celbridge Road at approximately 1.30am and attended the scene.

Local fire services also attended and the fire was brought under control at a later stage on Wednesday morning.

Gardai said that no one was in the building at the time of the fire, but that substantial damage was caused to the property.

The scene is currently preserved pending a full technical examination.

An incident room has been established at Leixlip Garda Station and the investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO).

Gardai have appealed to anyone who was in the vicinity of Celbridge Road and Forest Park between 12.30am and 2am and who observed any unusual activity to contact them.

Social Democrats TD for Kildare North, Catherine Murphy, said the property would not have been eligible to house refugees.

Speaking at the scene, Ms Murphy said: “Residential houses and apartments are not eligible for use. I had that confirmed to me in reply to a parliamentary question.

“It surprised me that people were saying that this could be used. I had asked the Department of Children was it being considered, and they came back to me on September 25 and said, no it wasn’t.

“They had no offer to consider it. I gave that information to the people who had made contact with me about it and to people who live in some of the housing estates, who I’ve email addresses for, and would have made contact with them to get the information around the place.

“I am absolutely horrified. There was another fire last weekend. The guards would have been aware of the protest and would have been aware of the previous fire and it would have been up to the individual who owns the property to put protections on it.

“The gardai can’t be there 24/7. How were they to know when something like this is going to happen? They had upped the patrols in the area as a consequence of the protests.”