The former hotel was set alight late on the evening of December 16, 2023, soon after it emerged that part of the empty building was being fitted out for accommodation for homeless asylum seekers. Videos of the intense fire went viral on social media.
Two women, aged in their 40s and 50s, were arrested last March for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State Act in relation to Garda investigations, while two men, also in their 40s and 50s, were arrested for alleged criminal damage.
All four were released without charge. A dossier was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions who this week decided that there will not be any prosecutions in relation to the file.
A spokesman for An Garda Siochána said investigations are ongoing.
“An Garda Síochána continues to investigate all the circumstances of this incident of criminal damage by fire which caused extensive damage to the building and significant monetary and personal loss to the owners. [We] appeal to any person with any information on this incident of criminal damage by fire, to come forward and assist investigating Gardaí,” he said.
“An Garda Síochána does not comment on directions from the Office of the DPP,” he added.
The 170-year-old building is a former hotel, once visited by Hollywood icon Maureen O’Hara. It is owned by a couple from Texas, artist Shannon Kincaid and oncologist Allen Stringer, who have longstanding links with Galway. They have published images of the extensive damage to their property and possessions online.
It is understood members of the Galway Divisional Crime Unit and detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin are tasked with investigating the suspected arson, which attracted national and international media attention last winter. There were no residents or staff inside the former hotel, located in Rosscahill, at the time of the blaze.
The Co Galway fire came after a spate of almost two dozen attacks on properties around the country in 2023 which had either been earmarked for refugee accommodation, or – in some cases – mistakenly thought to be.
A major line of enquiry for investigators is to ascertain if a network of far-right agitators coordinated attacks, or whether these were a series of unconnected incidents involving protesters influenced by racist propaganda and online misinformation. Informed Garda sources suggest a mixture of both.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
