Gardaí investigating a fire at a building in Dublin, that was due to be used as emergency accommodation for homeless families, are treating it as suspected arson.
Earlier this month, the building in Ringsend was the scene of anti-immigrant protests, amid false claims that it was to be used to house asylum seekers.
The fire broke out at the unoccupied building, the former Shipwright pub, also known as Sally's Bar, on Thorncastle Street shortly before 2am.
Six fire engines and nearly 30 firefighters from Dublin Fire Brigade were deployed. The fire was brought under control by around 5am.
Firefighters returned to the building during the day. Dublin Fire Brigade said that firefighters used "thermal imaging to dampen down hotspots after the fire".
Gardaí said no one was injured in the blaze. A criminal investigation has been launched.
A garda spokesperson said that the "examination of the crime scene has been completed and enquires are ongoing".
They said that "an Garda Síochána is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building".
An incident room has been set up at Irishtown Garda Station and gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
In mid-December anti-immigration protests were held at The Shipwright by people claiming that the building was due to be used as emergency accommodation for International Protection applicants.
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Integration confirmed that it had no plans to use the building to house asylum seekers.
'Premises was intended as emergency accommodation for families' - Taoiseach
The Taoiseach has expressed his concern about the fire but emphasised that the cause was still under investigation by An Garda Síochána. He said he was relieved that there were no injuries.
In a statement, Mr Varadkar said: "The incident in Ringsend is under investigation by An Garda Síochána, which is doing everything it can to determine the cause of the fire.
"If this was the result of a deliberate act, all efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"Anyone with information should contact the gardaí. The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families."
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that if the blaze was the result of a deliberate act, which has not yet been established, "the perpetrators will be brought to justice".
"Arson is a very serious crime which carries heavy prison sentences," the minister said in a statement.
"No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order.
"An Garda Síochána are doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire."
In a statement the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive said that it "had planned to use the Shipwright for emergency accommodation for families".
"We have a number of families who are currently homeless and seeking accommodation in the area so it is very disappointing," a spokesperson said.
"Families who experience homelessness are like any other; some are working, all are trying to juggle schools and busy lives as well as looking for somewhere to rent.
"If we cannot open facilities, there is a risk that families will not have access to basic shelter.
"The DRHE has no homeless facilities in the area," the spokesperson said.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan said the fire was "particularly disappointing for the families who are on the Dublin City Council homeless list who were due to move in".
Mr O'Callaghan said that there had been "a lot of misinformation put out there" about what the property was going to be used for.
