The pub in Ringsend was due to house 12 to 14 families in February before it was set on fire, according to the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE). 

The Shipwright pub and guest house was burnt down on New Year’s Eve, and many have connected the arson to anti-immigrant protests that took place earlier in December. 

While the premise was earmarked to house homeless families, rumours spread it was to be used to accommodate asylum seekers. 

DRHE Director Mary Hayes said the important thing is "we don’t lose sight of what happened there".

“That’s what matters,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. “We lost accommodation for 12 to 14 families.

“This was a deliberate act of arson.” 

Communication with Ringsend

Local representatives in Ringsend have said they were not informed by DRHE about the decision to move homeless families into the Shipwright. 

Ms Hayes said she had spoken to individual representatives “on the ground” in Ringsend and confirmed in the media the pub’s intended purpose. 

“One asked it for me in writing,” she said. “I have it in writing that it was for use of family accommodation. 

“I had confirmed to the media [also], which is a departure from what we normally do, because there was this fearmongering.” 

Ms Hayes acknowledged, however, that the criticism that all politicians should have been informed about the accommodation in Ringsend is “reasonable”. 

“Once I was going out to the media and speaking to specific councillors, I probably should have considered sending them all a formal communication,” she said. 

“That's not unreasonable but I would say that that’s not what we would normally do.” 

'Dignity' of homeless people

Ms Hayes said the DRHE don’t normally tell politicians and locals when a vacant premise has been acquired for homeless accommodation to protect the privacy of those made homeless. 

“The imperative for me is that I have enough accommodation and also that people who use that accommodation are treated with dignity,” she said. 

“I’ve been working in homelessness for 30 years now, and when we talk about homelessness we talk about chronic homelessness, rough sleepers, addiction. 

“But lots of homelessness is people who come and go out of homelessness as quickly as they can. 

“You have to think, you have kids going to school every day, people going to work.” 

Consultation is not veto

The DRHE director pointed out the organisation does have consultation with local communities if it is building a new service. 

Ms Hayes also pointed out a consultation would not entail the ability to veto accommodation. 

Justice Minister Helen McEntee previously said those who set the pub on fire will be brought to justice. 

Main image: Shipwright Pub in Ringsend after it was set on fire, 01/01/2023. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie