Attempts made last night to set the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey alight for a second time in recent weeks have been described as “senseless” by independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice.
The Roscommon-Galway TD condemned the attack on the building which had been earmarked to become an accommodation centre for asylum seekers.
Commenting on the situation, Fitzmaurice said: “Acts of this nature will not solve anything. The people who carried out this attack showed a blatant disregard for the safety of the security personnel on site at the hotel.
“The community of Rooskey would never condone actions such as last night’s attack or the attack which took place a number of weeks ago.”
However, genuine concerns highlighted in recent months regarding plans for the hotel to house asylum seekers must also be addressed.
Continuing, Fitzmaurice said: “As I have said before, the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey – in my opinion – is not a suitable location for asylum seekers.
“It would be unfair on both asylum seekers and those already living in the local community if this plan was to go ahead – as the services required are just not in place.
“Rooskey is a very small village. The medical, educational and transports services that would be required to house these asylum seekers are not readily available.”