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Firefighters battling major blaze at HSE site earmarked for refugee accommodation

There have been visible protests at the site in recent weeks

Today at 11:09

Firefighters are battling a major blaze that destroyed buildings on the site of a former nursing home on the Dublin border with Wicklow that had been considered for potential accommodation for refugees.

The blaze broke out early this morning at the former St Brigid’s Nursing Home at Crooksling, close to the village of Brittas on the N81 that connects Tallaght to Blessington.

There have been protests at the site in recent weeks by people opposed to the use of the site for refugee accommodation, and a large tent was erected at the entrance in recent days as a shelter for protestors.

Signs saying ‘Brittas Says No’ have also appeared at the site.

This morning Dublin Fire Brigade posted a message on social media saying firefighters were called at 7am to vacant buildings alight at Crooksling on the Blessington Road.

“Seven fire engines including a turntable ladder and emergency tender were sent to the scene,” it said, adding that there were traffic restrictions on the N81 due to hose lines.

A photograph showed a long single storey building engulfed in flames and with the roof collapsed.

The building was being considered for use as accommodation for refugees, but it is understood no final decision had been made on it.

It is currently under the control of the HSE.

“Gardaí and emergency services are currently attending the scene of a fire at a premises in Brittas, Co. Dublin, which occurred this morning, Sunday 4th February 2024,” a garda spokesperson said.

Asked by Independent.ie recently for a response on what the plans are for the site, the Department of Health said it has engaged with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and with the Department of Housing over the course of 2022 and 2023 in relation to the sourcing of properties which may be suitable for use in both the provision of housing and in providing accommodation for refugees.

“The Minister for Health continues to engage with the Minister for Integration and the Minister for Housing on this matter.

“As part of this engagement, the Department of Health has provided DCEDIY with a comprehensive overview of those properties currently owned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and surplus to health service requirements which may be suitable for the provision of accommodation. Some 300 properties, including Crooksling, were identified in the initial overview in 2022 and details of these properties were provided to DCEDIY at that time.

“DCEDIY has identified a shortlist of properties for further inspection, and the HSE is engaging with DCEDIY on these properties. The decision on the suitability of the shortlisted sites for the provision of refugee accommodation will be made by DCEDIY following their engagement with HSE.

The Department of Health and the HSE continue to engage Department of Integration, and other stakeholders including the Department of Housing as part of the whole-of-government approach to this important issue,” it said.