Tánaiste Micheál Martin has described an arson attack at a former gaelscoil in Cork, where refurbishment work is under way to house Ukrainian refugees, as "absolutely unacceptable".
Gardaí are investigating an incident where three people wearing balaclavas threw petrol bombs at Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin in Ballincollig and broke windows there.
The building has been vacant for over a decade and damage was minor.
The incident happened in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Gardaí were alerted and attended the scene, along with two units of Cork City Fire Brigade. A number of small fires were quickly extinguished.
Speaking in Cork yesterday, Mr Martin said: "Anybody who commits crime or arson, the full rigours of the law should be applied."
He said there were a far greater number of positive stories about how society and communities in Ireland responded to the plight of Ukrainian refugees.
"I witness it up and down the country as I go to various communities," he said.
"[But] there is an element on the far right who are stoking up unacceptable racist rhetoric and making very false accusations against people, not just in terms of the context of Ukraine but also in the context of those seeking asylum in this country, young males in particular."
Gardaí conducted a technical examination at the scene yesterday and the investigation is ongoing.
The incident happened days after work had begun to refurbish the former gaelscoil in preparation for the arrival of around 100 Ukrainian refugees there.
Permanent security has now been placed on the building.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher, a former lord mayor of Cork, appealed to anyone with information to contact gardaí.
