Fire Destroys Dublin Pub Amid False Asylum Seeker Rumours
An overnight blaze gutted the old Shipwright pub—also known as Sally’s Bar—in Dublin’s Ringsend. The fire broke out early Sunday, sparking a Gardaí investigation into the cause.
Massive Response to Intense Fire
The Dublin Fire Brigade scrambled six engines and 30 firefighters to battle the inferno. It took three hours to get the flames under control. Dramatic photos show severe interior damage to the once-bustling venue turned disused building.
False Claims Spark Dangerous Backlash
- Recent anti-immigration chatter falsely claimed the pub was set to house asylum seekers.
- Anonymous social media groups even encouraged arson attacks on the site.
- Truth: The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) had bought the building to create emergency accommodation for homeless families—not asylum seekers.
The DRHE confirmed these plans to local politicians and community members before the fire. They condemned the attack, stressing homeless families desperately needed the facility.
Politicians Slam Fire as Hate-Fuelled Attack
Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan called the fire “shameful,” given it was meant to be a safe haven for homeless families. Green Party councillor Claire Byrne said she was “saddened” by the destruction. Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin blasted the blaze as “outrageous,” highlighting the risks firefighters face coping with hate crimes.
Gardaí Treat Fire as Potential Arson
The blaze erupted just before 2am at the empty Thorncastle Street property. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Gardaí preserved the scene for forensic probes as inquiries are ongoing.
Pattern of Attacks on Housing for Vulnerable Groups
This fire follows several recent suspicious blazes targeting properties linked to asylum or homeless housing—like a Rosscahill, Co Galway hotel wrecked in a suspected arson after plans to house asylum seekers emerged.
The International Protection Accommodation Service and the Department of Integration stressed they had no plans to use the Ringsend building for asylum accommodation.
