Taoiseach Simon Harris condemns arson attack on building earmarked for asylum seekers

Taoiseach Simon Harris was speaking this Monday afternoon at an announcement at St Thomas' Junior National School, Esker, Lucan, on the roll-out of the Hot School Meals Programme. He addressed the arson attack in Wicklow when asked to comment.

“I understand there’s investigation ongoing in relation to that incident and I don’t want to say anything in the position I hold that prejudices the outcome of that,” Mr Harris said.

“But, of course, I’m very concerned to see any fire happening in any buildings or indeed any location, particularly at a time when we live in a country that already has it constraints when it comes to housing supply.

“For anybody to take any action that will in any way further worsen that situation is extraordinarily unhelpful and in a very, very difficult and challenging time, when Ireland is responding to an humanitarian crisis.

“I’ll let the Garda investigation run its course before I comment further on any motives.”

A number of buildings that have been earmarked for housing asylum seekers, as well as sites rumoured to be, have been targeted in recent times.

There have been more than 20 fires at properties associated, sometimes incorrectly, with accommodating asylum seekers in 2023 and 2024.

Gardaí confirmed it is investigating the suspected criminal damage by fire incident.

A number of protesters have been staging a demonstration near the building in recent weeks, with some remaining in the area this Monday.

The Department of Integration had been assessing the site for suitability for providing accommodation after accepting a HSE offer to use the empty building.