As investigations continue into a fire at a vacant property suspected to be used for asylum seekers, one migrant activist has urged people to stop presenting “opinions as facts”.
A senior investigating officer has been appointed by Gardaí after a building complex was set alight near Brittas in south Dublin.
The site was recently the scene of protests after rumours grew the former nursing home would be used to house asylum seekers.
Migrants' rights campaigner Teresa Buczkowska said taking rumours too seriously has led to devastating consequences.
“Opinions are being allowed to be presented as facts,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“If people have a concern, and it’s normal to have a concern, that concern is treated as a fact – but it’s not a fact, it’s a feeling.
“I want to talk about facts... how much money will taxpayers have to pay now to fix the damages after Dublin riots, after 20 arsons, after protests in the streets?”
Benefits of migration
Ms Buczkowska said she is angry that migrants’ rights campaigners have to constantly defend migrants with facts and information, while those against migrants don’t listen.
“For the last 15 years, I've been constantly asked to provide evidence and information about safety of migration, about the worth of migration and benefits of migration, and there are undisputed benefits,” she said.
“Migrants bring €3 billion in revenue to Ireland - that is the equivalent of the annual budget of the Department of heritage and local government.
“I’m done talking about benefits and safety of migration. I want to talk about the costs of hate and the danger of hate to Irish communities.”
The campaigner said people protesting migration should "bring facts to that opinion” and stop painting “a different picture of migration”.
Increased arson attacks
Gardaí have expressed concern over an increase in arson attacks after three properties in Dublin, Longford and Tipperary were set on fire in January.
The Irish Refugee Council has also warned “someone will be hurt” if fires continue to be set at accommodation centres earmarked for asylum seekers.
A protest against increased migration took place in Dublin yesterday, with a counter-protest taking place on O’Connell Street.
