The organizer of anti-refugee protests is arrested for threatening to burn down the Athy Hotel

A convicted terrorist, one of the key players in organizing anti-refugee protests, has been arrested for threatening to burn down a hotel housing over 40 refugees.

The chilling threat was allegedly made by the 43-year-old to a worker at a hotel in Athy, Co. Kildare, which is currently hosing down just over 40 asylum seekers.

Most of these people are originally from Africa, including 17 children, 21 women and three adult men.

“It is alleged that this man threatened to burn down the hotel. He should be one of the main organizers of a protest tonight,” a source said.

The Republican dissident has been prolific on social media with his criticism of that country’s asylum-seeking system.

He was previously serving an 18-month sentence handed down by the Special Criminal Court over two decades ago for membership of an illegal organization calling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann.

The court heard he was arrested in 2001 as part of a Garda investigation at a Republican training camp on a moor in Co Kildare.

It is not certain if his arrest tonight will lead to the cancellation of the protest at the hotel he is said to have threatened to burn down.

It is one of nine planned in Leinster, mainly to the north of the capital.

The suspect is also facing further charges in court in connection with a dispute he is involved in near his home.

Gardai gave details of his arrest this afternoon.

“A man in his 30s was arrested by Gardaí in Athy on Monday 9 January 2023 as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged threats to criminally damage a residential property in Athy, Co Kildare,” a spokesman said.

“On January 9, Gardaí were reported after a man entered a flat on Stanhope Street in Athy and allegedly threatened himself.

“An inquiry has been launched and this morning, 12 January 2023, a man in his 30s was arrested in the County Kildare area.

“He is currently being held at Kildare Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

“The investigation is ongoing,” added the spokesman.

A special policing plan has been drawn up for at least nine anti-refugee protests, which are scheduled to take place in various locations from 5pm today.

Sources say uniformed officers will be dispatched to each event and public order units will be on standby in case of public disorder or violent incidents.

“This is not about intrusive police tactics that could increase tensions out there, this is about Gardai policing these protests to ensure the rule of law is upheld and people are safe,” a source said.