WATCH: Shocking footage of fire at hotel due to house asylum seekers

Footage has emerged of the overnight fire at a hotel in Galway which was to house 70 asylum seekers. 

Gardai are treating the fire at a hotel as a criminal damage incident.

The blaze broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Go Galway, at approximately 11.35pm on Saturday.

No-one is believed to have been inside the building at the time, and the fire service brought the flames under control.

The scene has been preserved and a technical examination was due to take place on Sunday

The hotel has not been in use for several years and had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers in the coming days.

The Government plan had been the subject of local opposition.

The incident has been described as worrying by many including former Government minister Charlie Flanagan TD who condemned the suspected actions.