Politics

Mary Lou McDonald condemns Galway hotel fire but says she ‘understands’ local anxieties over immigration

Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, which was earmarked to house 70 asylum seekers, went up in flames on Saturday night

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin leader: “We understand that there is a lot of anxiety within local communities as to how these issues have been handled, about the lack of communication.” Picture: Fergal Phillips

Mary Lou McDonald has condemned the burning down of a hotel intended for asylum seekers in Galway, but said she understands the “anxiety within local communities” about immigration.

The Sinn Féin president made her first comments to the Business Post since a suspected arson attack at Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway. The hotel went up in flames on Saturday night after it had had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers.

“We ...