Coolock: Fire at site earmarked for asylum seekers

A fire at a site in Coolock that was being renovated to accommodate asylum seekers has been brought under control.

It is understood gardaí (Irish police) believe it to be arson.

Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene at a former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road in the city.

They were called there at about 21:00 local time on Thursday.

Hoses were put over the wall and smoke was seen coming from the building.

The fire brigade said that two fire engines were on scene and that the fire in the lobby has been contained.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported that the property was not badly damaged but gardaí preserved the scene.

The site at Coolock in North Dublin was being renovated to become accommodation for asylum seekers.

Work had been due to begin on the Malahide Road site later in the week.

It had been the centre of protests and violence earlier in the week over the plans.

On Monday protestors took to the site after machinery and pallets were set alight causing a large fire.

More than 200 gardaí were deployed.

Three Garda cars were damaged, one of which was set on fire.

It said pepper spray was used by police as a security guard and a number of gardaí were injured during clashes with protesters.

Petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown, mattresses were set on fire damaging a JCB and fires were lit on the roads during the disturbances.

Gardaí described the disturbances as a public order incident and the road was closed for a period.

Twenty-one people were arrested and charged, 15 of whom appeared in court on Monday and six on Tuesday afternoon.