A building vandalised in south Dublin by anti-migrant protesters has not been earmarked to house asylum seekers, the Department of Integration has confirmed.
It is understood the building in Ballybrack was targeted on Tuesday as some believed it was being re-purposed.
Several windows of Ridge House were smashed.
A building in Ballybrack which suffered damage during an anti-asylum seeker protest. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ieIn a statement to Newstalk, the Department of Integration said the building has not been selected for asylum seeker accommodation.
"The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is providing accommodation to 22,050 people seeking refuge in Ireland," it said.
"Since January 2022, IPAS have brought over 160 properties into use, to ensure that all those who arrive in Ireland seeking shelter can be accommodated.
"The department has not contracted Ridge House in Ballybrack.
"A proposal has been submitted and the department is awaiting a full suite of supporting documentation to be supplied before it can evaluate the property for use as an accommodation centre".
A building in Ballybrack which suffered damage during an anti-asylum seeker protest. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ieThe department added that a "detailed assessment" must take place before any property can be deemed suitable.
"Before the opening of any facility the department endeavours to engage with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors," it added.
Meanwhile, a rock with the message 'Stop Helping Refugees' was thrown through the window of Independent Councillor Hugh Lewis' family home in the area on Monday evening.
Cllr Lewis has previously appealed to people to welcome refugees and asylum seekers – and help them integrate rather than protesting and alienating them.
He said his father was left badly shaken by the incident.
"He's OK now, he was very shook - he described it as like a bomb going off, the noise of the thing," he said.
"He was sitting down trying to relax before bed, and wouldn't expect this to happen at all.
"He's very shook and he had trouble having an appetite the next day, put it that way," he added.
Additional reporting: Barry Whyte
