Saturday 31 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. 21105Arson · Co. Dublin

Taoiseach condemns fire at Sandwith Street campsite for protection seekers

A makeshift camp at Sandwith Street in Dublin city centre, used by international protection seekers without accommodation, was set alight days before 15 May 2023, with sources differing on whether this followed protests on 14 May or occurred on the Friday evening before. Wooden pallets were set on fire at the camp, and the sleeping bags, beds and belongings of the protection seekers were badly damaged, with Nasc describing the fire as an arson attack. Gardaí said they would investigate, and the Garda Representative Association said the incident would be investigated as a crime regardless of the victims' status. The latest reported development is that one man, whose age and nationality are not stated, was arrested following the incident, and no charge or court appearance has been reported.

  1. Reported15 May
  2. Arrested15 May
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Wooden pallets were set on fire at a makeshift camp on Sandwith Street, and footage showed the camp in flames.
  • The sleeping bags, beds and belongings of international protection seekers were badly damaged in the blaze.
Where
The camp was on Sandwith Street in Dublin city centre.
When
One source says the camp was set alight after protests on 14 May 2023, while another says the fire happened on a Friday evening days before 15 May 2023.
Cause
Nasc described the fire as an arson attack.
Investigation
  • Gardaí vowed to investigate the violent protests against asylum seekers and the camp fire.
  • The Garda Representative Association said gardaí would investigate the incident as a crime regardless of the victims' status.
  • Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is involved in the investigation into the incident.
  • One man was arrested following the incident.
Other details
  • The Irish Refugee Council condemned the destruction of the camp.
  • The Integration Minister said people have no right to commit acts of violence.
  • Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he condemned the incident unreservedly and was shocked and horrified by the scenes.
  • Varadkar said he did not believe there were enough gardaí on Dublin streets to deal with protests aimed at asylum seekers.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFootage showed a camp on Sandwith Street in flames after wooden pallets were set on fire there. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe sleeping bags, beds and belongings of international protection seekers were badly damaged in the blaze. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe camp was on Sandwith Street in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA makeshift campsite at Sandwith Street in Dublin city centre was set alight. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe camp was set alight following protests in the area on 14 May 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe fire happened on a Friday evening, days before the article was published on 15 May 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeNasc described the fire as an arson attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí vowed to investigate the violent protests against asylum seekers and the camp fire. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda Representative Association said gardaí would investigate the incident as a crime regardless of the victims' status. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGarda Commissioner Drew Harris is involved in the investigation into the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationOne man was arrested following the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Irish Refugee Council condemned the destruction of the camp. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Integration Minister said people have no right to commit acts of violence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTaoiseach Leo Varadkar said he condemned the incident unreservedly. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 May2023
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Taoiseach doesn't believe there are enough Gardaí to handle anti-asylum protests

    Report on the Taoiseach's reaction to the Sandwith Street fire. It adds that one man was arrested and that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is involved in the investigation.

    victimsuspect, male
  2. 15 May2023
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardai promise probe after Dublin asylum seeker camp torched in violent protest

    Reports the burning of the Sandwith Street camp, Garda commitment to investigate, and reactions from the Garda Representative Association, Nasc, the Integration Minister and the Irish Refugee Council.