A Donegal Dail Deputy has laid the blame for the suspected arson attack on a Ballyshannon house squarely at the feet of two local councillors.
Deputy Thomas Pringle says that while councillors Sean McEniff and Eugene Dolan did not light the match which destroyed the €230,000 home, their comments fueled the flames of unjust hatred.
“Donegal County Council bought the house for a traveller family and local councillors Seán McEniff and Eugene Dolan made racist statements about the decision, and last night the house was burned.
“While councillors McEniff and Dolan didn’t light the match, it would appear that their discriminatory comments may well have fuelled an unjust hatred amongst a minority and they now have to take responsibility for their actions and comments in relation to the travelling community,” he fumed.
He added that the council now has to repair the house before they can allocate it to the family and this will just add extra costs for the council.
“It would have been better for the local councillors to have taken a constructive approach, working towards ensuring that the family received all the support they required and work with the community to make sure that there was a smooth transition for the family.
“Luckily there were no injuries last night but will it take someone to be seriously hurt before these councillors take responsibility for their words and actions,” asked Deputy Pringle.
Gardai are still sifting through the wreckage of the house which was burned to the ground just after 3am this morning.
The house had been allocated to a Traveller family who were due to move in in the coming days.
A family living next to the targeted home had to flee their home as flames spread throughout the night.
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