A fire that broke out at a hotel in Galway which was due to be used to house asylum seekers is being treated as a crime by police.
Irish police are investigating after a blaze broke out at Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, at around 11.35pm on Saturday.
No one was inside the building at the time, and the fire service brought the flames under control.
Gardai are treating the fire as a criminal damage incident and said the scene was set to be examined further on Sunday afternoon.
The hotel has not been in use for several years and had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers in the coming days.
The government’s plan had been heavily criticised by local opposition and protesters had blocked the hotel’s entrance earlier on Saturday.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding the fire to contact them.
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