UK law enforcement authorities stated today they are delving into a likely deliberate act of setting fire on a building designated for student living, which took place in Limerick last night. Members of the Limerick City and County Fire Service, reacting swiftly to the fire, which sparked just beyond 10pm at the ex-Railway Hotel building on Parnell Street. This historic, three-floored structure, conveniently situated near the city’s bus and railway station, dates back to 1871.
Officers believe it could be a case of arson at the listed structure. However, they also noted the “disinformation” circulating on social media speculating the structure as prospective refuge for asylum seekers.
This building, once a hotel, has been abandoned for the past ten years. It has only recently acquired approval this month for conversion into 116 student flats, in light of the student accommodation shortage in the city. This property was procured last March, at an asking price of €1.75 million, by an individual presumed to be from County Tipperary, well-versed in the housing and hospitality sector.
In a statement released by the Garda Press Office, they announced, “We are looking into an act of criminal devastation at an unoccupied property on Parnell Street in Limerick on the night of Thursday, 18th July 2024.” They further affirmed, “The fire was successfully subdued by fire services. No casualties have been reported thus far.”
Garda Síochána, aware of the false information making rounds about the proposed utilization of the building, stated, “In a general sense, it falls under IPAS to make public statements whether certain locations are being considered for IPAS accommodation or not.”
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), in charge of running the IPAS service, has been requested for further comments.
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