Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6994Arson (suspected) · Co. Wexford · 30 Nov 2023

Suspected arson at former Rosslare hotel site earmarked for asylum seekers

A fire broke out at about 4am on Thursday 30 November 2023 at the former Great Southern Hotel site in Rosslare, Co Wexford, which is being developed into an IPAS centre for about 170 asylum seekers. A teleporter forklift truck was gutted, no injuries were reported, and gardaí are investigating the fire as suspected arson. Gardaí are examining anti-asylum seeker sentiment as a possible motive, and forensic examiners have gathered evidence from the site. As of the 1 December 2023 report, no arrests had been made and the investigation was ongoing. No individual victim or suspect is named in the sources.

  1. Reported1 Dec
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí are investigating a suspected arson attack at a site earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation in Rosslare.
Where
The attack was at the former Great Southern Hotel site in Rosslare, Co Wexford.
When
The fire occurred at about 4am on Thursday, 30 November 2023, in the early hours of the day.
Cause
The fire is being investigated as suspected arson.
Other details
  • The site is being developed into an International Protection Accommodation Services centre for about 170 asylum seekers in the coming weeks.
  • A teleporter forklift truck was gutted by fire.
  • No injuries were reported.
  • The site has been the scene of frequent protests against the proposed accommodation.
  • There is no suggestion that protesters were involved, and protest leaders have condemned the incident.
  • The incident was first reported by the Irish Times on 1 December 2023.
Investigation
  • Forensic examiners have gathered evidence from the site.
  • Gardaí are examining anti-asylum seeker sentiment as a possible motivation for the attack.
  • No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí are investigating a suspected arson at the site of proposed asylum seeker accommodation in Rosslare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack happened at the former Great Southern Hotel site in Rosslare, Co Wexford. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe fire occurred at about 4am on Thursday, 30 November 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationForensic examiners have gathered evidence from the site. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are examining anti-asylum seeker sentiment as a possible motivation for the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe site is being developed into an IPAS centre to accommodate about 170 asylum seekers in the coming weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA teleporter forklift truck was gutted by fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere is no suggestion that protesters were involved in the attack, and protest leaders have condemned it. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo injuries were reported and no arrests have been made. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Dec2023
    Reportedirishtimes.com, first report
    Gardaí investigate suspected arson attack at Rosslare site earmarked for asylum seekers

    First report of the incident. Adds the site background (former Great Southern Hotel being developed into an IPAS centre for about 170 asylum seekers), the damaged forklift, the forensic examination, and that gardaí are considering anti-asylum seeker sentiment as a possible motive.