Four children and an adult had to be rescued from an international protection accommodation service (IPAS) centre following a suspected arson attack on Friday night.
The incident at a centre housing asylum seekers in Drogheda, Co Louth, led to a “terrifying ordeal” for residents who were subsequently evacuated.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said fireworks were thrown into the building and has warned of “serious consequences” for those responsible.
The five rescued from the top floor of the building on George’s Street were taken to hospital to be medically assessed.
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The local fire brigade attended at the scene and remained on-site for two hours.
It is understood that a further 23 people, including three children under the age of 10, had to leave the building following the incident. They were placed in alternative accommodation overnight. The incident has sparked furious reaction locally.
The scene has since been technically examined and a senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation from the incident room at Drogheda Garda Station. Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
In a statement, Mr O’Callaghan said fireworks thrown into the building caused a fire and put lives at risk.
“This was a terrifying ordeal for the women and children living there, a number of whom were taken to hospital. Alternative accommodation is now being sourced for the residents affected,” he said on Saturday.
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Gardaí said they were alerted by the fire service at around 8.15pm and subsequently extinguished the blaze. The residents were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for treatment for non life-threatening injuries, the force said.
“The scene has been held for a technical examination, the results of which will guide the Garda investigation,” a statement said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also condemned those behind the fire. In a statement on social media he described the incident as “deeply disturbing”.
“To put vulnerable families, including young children, at risk is abhorrent and has no place in our society. Our thoughts are with those affected by this horrifying experience.”
Louth Labour TD Ged Nash said the fact suspected arson was a working assumption of the authorities was “chilling and sinister”.
“Let’s be clear. Small babies were hospitalised overnight. The deaths of children, of families, was avoided last night thanks to the response of the fire service and gardaí,” he said.
“If this fire occurred only a matter of hours later, we could in all probability be dealing with an unspeakable catastrophe this morning.”
Nick Henderson, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council said those responsible represented a tiny minority and “not the proud and welcoming spirit and people of the Drogheda community”.
“This appalling incident is another salient reminder of the need for strong leadership — both locally and nationally — to stand against hatred and uphold compassion and solidarity.”
Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Michelle Hall condemned the attack which she said could have been fatal “if there had been more flammable devices around the place”.
She said she hoped it was a case of “kids chancing their arm” as opposed to a targeted attack.
“Now unfortunately everyone knows it is an IPAS centre and my fear now is that it is going to be an even more targeted place and the people living there won’t feel safe.”
She said while those in the shared accommodation may not have been physically harmed they had the compounded trauma of being homeless and having to be rescued.
“[The residents] have been removed. There is a strong smell of smoke damage from the building so it won’t be liveable for quite a while anyway. Hopefully, they will be feeling much safer [now] and supported by the Department of Justice.”
In an earlier social media post, the mayor had noted the amount of social media posts “spreading fear, rumours, and half-truths that only divide our communities”.
Friday night’s incident has also prompted numerous offers of assistance in the north eastern town.
Local councillor Pio Smith saidpeople had immediately offered help and support to those impacted .
“We have had offers this morning from people who own Bed and Breakfasts saying, ‘we have two beds, we have three beds, we have a family room if they need it’,” he said.
“It is a horrible thing to happen. To think we could have had 28 people dead last night. At least 10 of them are children.
“I think this centre has been in operation for about a year and a half. A really old period style house was renovated and behind that there was apartments built. Thankfully, the fire service got there really quickly.
“We are talking about people who have come from parts of the world where they have suffered some kind of trauma. To be experiencing what they did last night adds to the suffering they had had.”
