Michael Bolton
Updated: 6pm. Additional reporting by PA.
Gardaí are investigating an incident of suspected criminal damage following a fire at a premises in Leixlip, Co Kildare in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gardaí were alerted to a fire at a vacant residential property on Celbridge Road at approximately 1.30am and attended the scene.
Local fire services also attended the scene, and the fire was brought under control.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, gardaí said the force is aware the building was the subject of a “significant volume” of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to its use or intended purpose.
The seven-bedroom detached house in Leixlip was linked to housing for asylum seekers.
It is understood that protests have taken place outside the property in recent weeks, and rumours had been spreading on social media in recent days that the property was earmarked to house international protection applicants.
It is the latest in a series of attacks on properties that have been linked to housing for refugees, coming just days after vacant buildings in Brittas, Co Dublin were set alight.
'Absolutely horrified'
Social Democrats TD for Kildare North, Catherine Murphy, said the property would not have been eligible to house refugees.
Speaking at the scene, Ms Murphy said: “Residential houses and apartments are not eligible for use. I had that confirmed to me in reply to a parliamentary question.
“It surprised me that people were saying that this could be used. I had asked the Department of Children was it being considered, and they came back to me on September 25th and said, no it wasn’t.
“They had no offer to consider it. I gave that information to the people who had made contact with me about it and to people who live in some of the housing estates, who I’ve email addresses for, and would have made contact with them to get the information around the place.
“I am absolutely horrified. There was another fire last weekend. The guards would have been aware of the protest and would have been aware of the previous fire, and it would have been up to the individual who owns the property to put protections on it.
“The gardaí can’t be there 24/7. How were they to know when something like this is going to happen? They had upped the patrols in the area as a consequence of the protests.”
Investigation
Gardaí said no one was in the building in Leixlip at the time of the latest incident, but there was substantial damage caused to the property.
The scene is currently preserved pending a full technical examination.
An incident room has been established at Leixlip Garda station, and Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information in relation to the incident to contact them.
Any person who was in the vicinity of Celbridge Road and Forest Park between 12.30am and 2am and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating gardaí.
Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) are asked to make this available to gardaí.
In particular, members of the local community who may be able to assist gardaí are asked to come forward.
Those with information is asked to contact Leixlip Garda station 01-666 7800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 111, or any Garda Station.
Gardaí added the force is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building.
