Man arrested in suspected arson probe at site falsely linked to asylum seekers

Gardai investigating two fires in Kildare have arrested a man, it has emerged.

A probe is ongoing into the ‘incidents of criminal damage’ in Leixlip, Co Kildare on January 30th and February 7th this year.

While no people were in the building at the time of the February 7th incident, there was substantial damage caused to the property.

Gardaí also stressed that they are aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building.

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The house, on the Celbridge Road in the town, had been vacant for some time and there were online rumours that it was to be used to house asylum seekers – something that gardaí said was simply not true.

The Department of Integration confirmed that the site was not being considered to housing asylum seekers – and condemned the attack.

It said in a statement: “Arson is a very serious crime which carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear, or to threaten public order.

“There can never be justification for such acts, regardless of circumstances or alleged motivation.”

In an update issued this afternoon a garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding two incidents of criminal damage by fire that occurred in Leixlip, Co. Kildare in the early hours of Tuesday 30th January and Wednesday 7th February 2024.

“A male (40’s) was arrested this morning, Tuesday 4th June 2024, in connection with this investigation, and is currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Co. Kildare area. Investigations are ongoing.”

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