The Taoiseach's comments come after a series of protests in recent months against buildings being repurposed to accommodate asylum seekers

The Minister for Justice’s comments came as gardaí conducted searches in relation to a blaze at a disused hotel earmarked as asylum seeker accommodation

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Ms Hayes said it was important not to forget that the arson attack on a premises in Ringsend that had been intended as accommodation for 14 homeless families, had been a criminal act

A fire gutted the building in Ringsend, Dublin, in the early hours of Sunday.

The fire that gutted the Shipwright pub in Ringsend, was likely started deliberately on New Year’s Eve is thought to have been started deliberately, gardai believe

Earlier this month, anti-immigrant protests were held at the building in response to false claims that it was to accommodate asylum seekers.