The Coolock facility of Crown Paints is the subject of an alleged arson attack that is being looked into by GardaÃ, reports RTE.
Dublin Fire Brigade contained the fire that started soon after 9 p.m. last night.
Over 500 International Protection Applicants (IPAs) were to be housed at the complex, which was undergoing renovations and had become the target of violent demonstrations.
While the scene was preserved overnight by gardaÃ, the home was not severely harmed, reports RTE.
One of the abandoned manufacturing buildings’ lobby areas was where the fire started.
Behind a wall at the former Crown Paints facility on Malahide Road, thick black smoke and flames were seen.
What the Gardaà believe to be an arson assault on the facility, which was scheduled to be turned into housing for 550 applications for international protection, has sparked a criminal inquiry, reports RTE.
This week, the property has been the target of demonstrations, acts of violence, and vandalism. In addition, an arson assault on Monday resulted in the burning of a digger that had been carried onto the site.
There have been no reported casualties, and Malahide Road is still accessible.
It is reported that after an attack earlier this week in which a security guard was hurt and transported to the hospital, the security personnel were evacuated from the area.
Nineteen of the thirty persons detained in relation to this week’s events in Coolock have been charged, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
