Four individuals, all locals, have been taken into custody in connection to a fire at an abandoned hotel in Co Galway. The Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill was set to become a residence for 70 asylum seekers. Two males, both in their 40s and 50s, were apprehended for supposed infractions under the Criminal Damage Act, 1991, and are being held under the 1984 Criminal Justice Act’s Section 4. Two females of similar ages were arrested for alleged violations under the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, and are being held under the 1939 Offences Against the State Act’s Section 30.
In December of the previous year, the majority of the building was devastated by a fire before it could be transformed into a haven for international protection. Law enforcement authorities are confident the fire was intentionally ignited. These four individuals participated in demonstrations against the intended conversion of the building prior to the fire. Even though these protests launched far-right activists from different corners of the nation, those apprehended this week are local residents, according to sources.
There have been approximately 20 such fires targeting lodging intended for asylum seekers in recent history. The hotel, which has 13 bedrooms, was expected to provide temporary shelter for 70 asylum seekers, including some who were compelled to sleep outdoors due to a shortage of accommodations.