Gardaí investigate fire at Wicklow site selected for asylum seeker accommodation
Plans to locate up to 20 eight-person tents on the former HSE site were 'not yet finalised' by Department of Integration
Gardaí have launched an investigation into a suspected incident of criminal damage following a fire at a former HSE site earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation.
Emergency services attended the scene at Trudder House in Newtownmountkennedy, county Wicklow, when the fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning, April 13.
A technical examination of the scene has been conducted and gardaí have said that investigations are ongoing.
The site had been offered to the Department of Integration by the HSE to use the vacant building and its grounds to accommodate asylum seekers.
Plans to locate up to 20 eight-person tents to house asylum seekers on the site were 'not yet finalised' by Department of Integration.
Locals had expressed concern over a lack of consultation regarding such plans, and protests had been taking place at the site prior to the fire.
This is the fifth suspected arson attack in 2024 at a site earmarked for accommodating asylum seekers.
Incidents have also taken place in Sandyford and Brittas in Dublin, Lanesborough, county Longford and Leixslip, county Kildare.