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Gardai investigating two fires at ex-convent in Longford which is set to house refugees

Two local councillors have said they believe the fires were deliberately set.

Today at 11:31

Gardaí are investigating two fires that occurred last night at a former convent in Lanesboro in Co Longford that is currently being converted for use to house Ukrainian refugees.

Two local councillors have said they believe the fires were deliberately set.

The fires happened at the front and back doors of the old convent in the tourist town at around 9.30pm and were quickly brought under control by the fire brigade.

It is understood there was no damage to the building which had been vacant for over two years until it was bought more recently by a midland’s businessman.

Work started on the old convent in recent months and it is predicted it will be ready for occupation in May.

A garda spokesperson said gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the fires yesterday evening and that the flames were brought under control by fire services.

“No injuries have been reported, and a technical examination of the scene will take place,” they said.

Local Independent Councillor Mark Casey, and Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Farrell, met with the developer and Longford County Council executives at the site before the fire yesterday.

The meeting was organised to inform the councillors of the plans for refugee accommodation and assess progress and a future timeline for the completion of the work.

“We were brought in by the developer and the Council to see it and it seems to be a done-deal. There will be 85 Ukrainian refugees brought in by the Department of Integration around 16 weeks away in the second week of May,” said Cllr Casey.

“This town has been hit hard in recent years with the closure of the Bord na Mona plant and the ESB station, and a nursing home has been converted for refugees.

“There is anger in the town at the Government because there is no accommodation for the young people. There was no task force set up to look at resources and facilities for the town after the closure of two huge employers. The town and its people were neglected, but now suddenly there’s money available for accommodation for this.

“There was no consultation about it, but the developer has agreed to an open day in the building for local people in the coming weeks. But it’s a done-deal at this stage. If you want to build as much as a shed you need planning permission, but this is being done under some sort of emergency planning.

“There is a lot of local concern about the fires. There are people living beside the convent, and local businesses there too. The people of Lanesboro are quiet people that just want to get on with their lives.”

Cllr Farrell said the fires are stressful for the local community.

“They don’t want this sort of publicity. I don’t think locals are involved in it. We all need to do our bit for the Ukrainians, they have been through a lot. But I represent people’s views, and in Lanesboro we are maxed-out at this stage. We have no homes to rent or buy, and there’s pressure on schools and doctors and other facilities and services. People are wondering how the people arriving will fit into that,” he added.

“Longford County Council are recruiting an integration officer, and that might help, but people are wondering what way the new 90-day accommodation rule will apply on providing places for people from Ukraine. Will they be moved elsewhere after 90 days? Will more move in then? The contract on this building is for two years. What will happen after that?” he asked.

The Irish Independent has contacted the Department of Integration for comment.