Ireland Garda investigation into Rosscahill arson attack on hotel intended for asylum seekers
A fire broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, near Oughterard, County Galway, around 11.35pm on 16 December 2023, although one source gives 11.30pm. The hotel had been earmarked to house 70 male asylum seekers, was unoccupied and privately owned, and gardaí are treating the fire as arson. Gardaí searched four properties in the Rosscahill area on 6 January 2024 and seized exhibits, and two county councillors said they were questioned. On the morning of 28 March 2024, four people were arrested: two men in their 40s and 50s on suspicion of offences under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, and two women in their 40s and 50s on suspicion of offences under the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. All four were held at a Garda station in the North Western Region, and no charges or court appearances are reported in the articles.
- Reported17 Dec
7 reports - Arrested16 Dec
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí are investigating a fire at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill as an arson attack that caused substantial damage.
- The hotel had been scheduled to house about 70 male asylum seekers, and the building is in private ownership.
- Where
- The hotel is in Rosscahill, near Oughterard, County Galway, in a very remote location.
- When
- The fire broke out on the night of Saturday 16 December 2023, at around 11.35pm according to one source and around 11.30pm according to another.
- Other details
- The building was unoccupied when the fire broke out, and no one was inside.
- Protests against the planned asylum seeker accommodation took place outside the hotel before the fire.
- On the morning of 28 March 2024 the four people were arrested, and the men were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and the women under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, all held at a Garda station in the North Western Region.
- Cause
- Gardaí believe the fire was started by a local person or group opposed to the asylum seeker accommodation, and there is no indication so far of an outside or right-wing extremist link.
- Investigation
- The investigation is being led by the Galway Divisional Crime Unit with support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and an incident room has been set up.
- On 6 January 2024, gardaí searched four properties in the Rosscahill area and seized several exhibits, including smartphones, which will be analysed.
- Two county councillors said their homes were searched and that they were questioned, and gardaí have taken 145 statements and completed 229 investigative tasks.
- Charges
- Two men in their 40s and 50s were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, and two women in their 40s and 50s were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998.
97 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí are investigating a criminal damage incident by fire at a premises in Rosscahill. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatThe fire gutted much of a historic Galway hotel earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe hotel had been scheduled to house 70 asylum seekers. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe building was unoccupied when the fire broke out. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSubstantial damage was caused to the property. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe fire at the hotel is being investigated as arson. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatRoss Lake Hotel in Rosscahill was the subject of a suspected arson attack. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatGardaí are investigating an arson attack that destroyed a hotel in Co Galway that was intended for asylum seekers. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe hotel was to house 70 asylum seekers. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire was at a premises in Rosscahill, County Galway. (garda.ie)
- whereGardaí were called to the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, where a fire had broken out. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe fire broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, near Oughterard. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire destroyed the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire hit the historic Ross Lake Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereGardaí are asking people in Rosscahill, Oughterard and surrounding areas to come forward with information. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe fire broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill near Oughterard, Co Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe hotel fire happened at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereFour properties near Oughterard, Co Galway, were searched. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereSearches were carried out at four properties in the Roscahill area of Oughterard, Co. Galway. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe hotel is the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Oughterard. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe hotel was in a very remote location. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fire occurred on 16 December 2023. (garda.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- whenFour individuals were arrested on the morning of Thursday 28 March 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe fire happened at around 11:30pm on the night of 16 December. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenThe Garda statement gives the time of the incident as around 11.35pm. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out on Saturday night. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fire happened late on the Saturday night, five days before the first men were due to arrive. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fire occurred at around 11:35pm on Saturday 16 December 2023. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out at around 11:35pm on 16 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe searches were carried out on Saturday 6 January 2024. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenThe fire at Ross Lake House Hotel occurred on December 16. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack took place on the night of 16 December. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí believe the fire was the work of a local person. (irishtimes.com)
- causeInitial indications are that the fire was started by a local person or group angry with the accommodation of asylum seekers at the hotel. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe fire was an arson attack. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí have described the incident as arson. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Galway are continuing to investigate the fire. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe scene has been preserved and a technical examination was due to take place. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact Clifden Garda Station. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí are treating the fire as arson. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigations are at an early stage. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe fire is the subject of a major criminal investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the fire as criminal damage by fire. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí have renewed their appeal for witnesses and information. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe investigation has support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationAn incident room has been established for the investigation. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationAn incident room has been established and a large number of investigative tasks have been completed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is being conducted by the Galway Divisional Crime Unit with support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí raided four properties in the Rosscahill area of Oughterard. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí uncovered several exhibits during the searches. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe seized exhibits will be analysed to determine the next stages of the investigation. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationAn incident room led by a Senior Investigating Officer has carried out 229 investigative tasks and taken 145 statements. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationSmartphones were among the items taken during the searches. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigators seized a number of exhibits for forensic analysis, possibly connected to the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have taken 145 statements and completed 229 investigative tasks. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGarda Commissioner Drew Harris said gardaí are focusing on a number of local individuals believed to be responsible for the blaze. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCouncillors Noel Thomas and Seamus Walsh said their homes were searched by gardaí on Saturday. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationOfficers raided four properties as part of the investigation into the fire. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationSeveral exhibits were seized during the searches and will be analysed. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationAn incident room has carried out 229 investigative tasks and taken 145 statements. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is focused on tracing the origins of videos taken of the fire just after it broke out. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí carried out searches at four properties in the Rosscahill area. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationExhibits were seized during the searches and will be analysed. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA large-scale investigation is under way, aided by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have conducted 229 investigative tasks and taken 145 statements to date. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo county councillors said they have been questioned in relation to the Rosscahill arson attack. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeTwo males in their 40s and 50s were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (garda.ie)
- chargeTwo females in their 40s and 50s were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. (garda.ie)
- otherThe arrests were made during an operation by Galway Divisional Crime Functional Area Gardaí and the National Bureau of Crime Investigation. (garda.ie)
- otherThe two males are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (garda.ie)
- otherThe two females are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (garda.ie)
- otherAll four people are being held at a Garda station in the North Western Region. (garda.ie)
- otherFire services were called and brought the blaze under control. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherNo people were inside the building at the time of the incident. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherA local councillor said the damage to the building from the fire is devastating. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGardaí said there is no indication the fire was started by an outside person or group linked to right-wing extremism. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe hotel was the site of protests the week before the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe 13-bedroom building is in private ownership. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe back portion of the building is destroyed, according to sources. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Department of Integration will assess the building to determine if it can be used for accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe hotel was to be used for international protection applicants. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí received no notification from Government that the hotel had been designated as a centre for asylum seekers. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí realised the building was designated for asylum seekers only when contacted by local councillors. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Garda Commissioner said that if gardaí had been notified, they could have carried out risk assessments and offered safety advice. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe hotel was designated for about 70 male asylum seekers. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLocal protesters had gathered outside the property the previous Saturday and used a prefabricated cabin to block the main entrance. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo one was in the building when the fire occurred. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherThe fire caused substantial damage to the property. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherProtests had taken place outside the premises before the fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí have issued a renewed appeal for information, specifically targeting members of the local community in Rosscahill, Oughterard and surrounding areas. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe hotel was earmarked to house asylum seekers. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA protest against the use of the hotel as emergency accommodation for 70 asylum seekers took place the day before the raids. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPlans had been made for the hotel to house 70 asylum seekers. (galwaybeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jan2024Investigation into Galway arson attack on asylum-seeker accommodation focuses on videos taken of fire
Adds that gardaí carried out searches at four properties, seized exhibits, completed 229 investigative tasks and 145 statements, and questioned two county councillors. No arrests are reported.
- 7 Jan2024Galway councillor's home 'ransacked' by gardai in search as 'windows banging'
First report on this incident. Covers searches of four properties on 6 January 2024, exhibits seized, and an appeal for witnesses. The councillors say they were searched and questioned, but the article does not describe them as suspects.
- 7 Jan2024Gardai probing hotel arson attack seized 'number of exhibits' in dawn raids
Reports dawn raids on four properties near Oughterard, seized exhibits including smartphones, 145 statements taken and 229 investigative tasks completed, and that gardaí are focusing on a number of local individuals. No arrests are reported.
- 6 Jan2024Gardai swarm tiny Galway area in major search as multiple properties raided
Adds that four properties were searched on 6 January 2024 and several exhibits seized; the investigation has 229 tasks and 145 statements so far; no arrests are mentioned.
- 30 Dec2023Gardaí investigating fire at Galway hotel issue renewed appeal for witnesses
Two weeks after the fire, gardaí renewed their appeal for information, targeting people in Rosscahill, Oughterard and surrounding areas. Contact details for Clifden Garda Station and the Garda Confidential Line are given. The article adds the Galway Divisional Crime Unit and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation as the investigating units, and says a large number of investigative tasks have been completed.
- 30 Dec2023Galway gardai issue hotel fire update as new details released
Gardaí issue a renewed appeal for witnesses and information. An incident room has been established, and the Galway Divisional Crime Unit is supported by the GNBCI. The article gives the time of the fire as around 11:35pm and states that no one was in the building.
- 19 Dec2023Galway fire: Garda not told hotel was to be used for asylum seekers, Harris says
Adds the Garda Commissioner's account at the Policing Authority meeting: gardaí were not notified of the asylum seeker designation and learned of it through local sources and councillors. Adds that the hotel was due to house about 70 male asylum seekers and that local protesters had blocked the entrance the previous Saturday. No arrests are reported.
- 19 Dec2023Galway hotel fire: Gardaí believe local person opposed to immigration behind arson attack
Adds that gardaí believe a local person or group opposed to asylum seeker accommodation started the fire, that there is no indication of an outside or right-wing extremist link so far, and details of the building and the protests held before the fire.
- 17 Dec2023Galway gardai probe hotel fire as community mourn loss of 'so many memories'
Adds the reported time of the fire (around 11.30pm to 11.35pm), that no one was inside, that the scene was preserved for a technical examination, a Garda appeal for information to Clifden Garda Station, and a local councillor's account of the damage. The article does not mention asylum seekers.
- 16 Dec2023Arrests - Arson Investigation, Rosscahill, Co. Galway 16th December 2023
Four people were arrested on 28 March 2024 in the Rosscahill fire investigation. The article gives the offences they are suspected of and the sections they are detained under, and it does not name anyone.
suspect, 40s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 40s, femalesuspect, 50s, female