A major criminal investigation is underway into a fire at a disused hotel in Co Galway which was due to house 70 international protection applicants.
Protesters had gathered to form a blockade at the entrance of the Ross Lake Hotel in Rosscahill over the weekend, in opposition to the plans to accommodate international protection applicants.
The fire broke out at the hotel on Saturday night and Gardaí are conducting an investigation into what they've described as 'a criminal damage incident'.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said this evening that they are focusing on a number of local individuals who they believe were responsible.
"I just think it's very easy to blame a nebulous, ill-defined set of people - whereas regrettably a prejudice does exist at a local level," he said.
"We have seen from the detections that we have made individuals, local individuals, misguided by misinformation are engaged in regrettably criminal activity around damage to property," he added.
Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman has described the incident as "deeply disturbing."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said there is “no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic – ever."
