According to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, gardaí have notified him that arrests are scheduled in relation to arson attacks that are targeting refugee accommodations throughout the nation.
“There are a number of garda investigations under way and there have been people questioned and searches have been carried out. The gardaí have told me that they anticipate there will be arrests in relation to arson attacks around the country and I have to remind people that this is a serious crime that carries a sentence of up to ten years. I’ve a real worry that an arson attack might occur in a building and there is somebody inside it,” he told reporters in Davos, where is attending the World Economic Forum, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach stated that harsher punishments should be anticipated in cases where a crime is committed out of animosity for a particular social group.
According to him, assaulting someone with a migrant status would not be punishable under the new hate crime laws, but it would if there was a racist component.
He expressed concern about the increase in bigotry in Ireland.
“It’s something I’m concerned about,” he said, reports RTE.
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