Gardaí are taking threats to set a Wicklow direct provision centre on fire very seriously.
It's understood two men walked into the Grand Hotel in Wicklow Town just under a week ago and threatened to burn it to the ground.
That came after a number of threats via email and social media.
This morning, Gardaí investigating the alleged threats said they arrested a man in his 40s.
He is due to appear at Wicklow District Court tomorrow.
Threats
Hotel owner Adrian Shannagher told Newstalk he has also received threatening phone calls.
“I’ve had a number of emails and a number of phone calls with threats,” he said.
“People call to my family home you know? we’ve had all of that stuff. Calls in the middle of the night from private numbers.
“We’ve had two instances of individuals walking into the premises threatening to burn the place down.”
Tension
Tensions have been high in the area in recent weeks after the hotel was redesignated as a facility for single people and some couples.
A number of families that were living there were moved to accommodation in other parts of the country.
Almost 300 people are now being accommodated at the hotel – up from just over 100 six months ago.
Some 191 are single men.
Wicklow
Fianna Fáil councillor Gail Dunne said locals have concerns about the number of men in the centre – but those making such threats do not represent the local community:
“Grand hotel was a facility for families and, over the last couple of months, that has changed to basically single people,” he said.
“There was no consultation with anyone, and that is why people are angry.
“People can go and make their observations felt - I don’t like the idea of threats or whatever - we should try and see can we sort this problem out. I have no time for that.”
Direct Provision
He said he understands why people are concerned:
“Obviously people are very angry,” he said.
“I feel that they had embraced refugees but they feel now that the department basically can do what they want.
“It is not a good situation and it is not fair to the people of Wicklow Town in my opinion because I’ve worked here all my life and they are really decent hardworking people.”
Gardaí are investigating and taking the threats very seriously.
