150 Fire Safety Notices Issued in 5 Years, Including Refugee Accommodations
Local fire authorities issued 150 fire safety notices in five years for «potentially dangerous» buildings, including refugee accommodations. Notices increased steadily, with 36 in 2025. Issues at sites like the Eyre Powell Hotel and Tuam Parish Centre included faulty alarms, blocked fire doors, and lack of certificates. Advocacy groups stress the critical need for all premises to meet fire safety standards.
Local fire authorities have issued 150 fire safety notices over the last five years due to concerns about potentially dangerous buildings. Records obtained via Freedom of Information show a steady increase, with 36 notices issued in 2025, nearly double the 2020 figure. Over 200 distinct premises, including apartments, pubs, restaurants, hotels, nursing homes, crèches, and refugee accommodations, were affected.
Several accommodation providers for refugees and asylum seekers received notices. The Eyre Powell hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare, which houses asylum seekers, received two notices since 2024. Issues included an obsolete fire alarm, wedged fire doors, cooking in bedrooms, and an electric scooter charging indoors. A significant number of additional bedrooms were added without a fire safety certificate. While the first notice was withdrawn after remedial work, a second was issued concerning the ventilation system. Kildare County Council later withdrew this notice after compliance.
The Tuam Parish Centre in Galway opened to house asylum seekers despite its fire safety certificate application being rejected. An inspection in late 2025 found missing or inappropriate fire doors, leading to a fire safety notice for part of the building, which remains unoccupied. The other part received a certificate and continues to operate. The Harmony Inn in Killarney, Co Kerry, also received a notice in 2023 for issues like non-closing fire doors and lack of certification, which were later addressed.
John Lannon of Doras and Nick Henderson of the Irish Refugee Council emphasized the critical importance of all premises meeting fire safety standards, especially for vulnerable populations. Henderson highlighted the risk of losing critical documentation and personal belongings in a fire. The Department of Justice stated it takes resident welfare seriously and ensures compliance with fire safety regulations.