Irish Muslim Council 'alarmed' at growing Islamophobia

The Irish Muslim Council says it is "deeply alarmed" at growing levels of Islamophobia across the country.

It made the remarks following an arson attack on a mosque in Co Limerick, which gardaí are continuing to investigate.

The centre, which is located in Dooradoyle, serves the Muslim community in Limerick.

Emergency services attended the scene at around 1.30am yesterday morning and it took three units of Limerick Fire Service over half an hour to bring the blaze under control.

Gardaí said they received a report of an incident of "criminal damage by fire that occurred at a premises in the Dooradoyle area".

While nobody was injured, the incident is said to have left the Muslim community in the city feeling devastated and insecure.

CCTV from the scene shows a person approaching the rear of the property before breaking a window and placing what is thought to be an accelerant into the building.

A bathroom area was ruined by the resultant blaze, while some adjoining rooms have smoke damage.

In a statement this afternoon, the Muslim Council's Chairperson, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, said an attack on any place of worship was an attack on the fundamental values of peace, respect, and coexistence that define Irish society.

He said acts of hostility and intimidation not only target one community but undermine the inclusive and democratic principles upon which Ireland is built.

The council has called on the Government to strengthen protections for all places of worship, "not only mosques, but churches, synagogues, temples, and every sacred space across the country".

Bishop of Limerick calls Islamic centre attack 'worrying'

Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has described the attack as "shocking and worrying".

In a statement, he said such an attack "is uncommon and not supported by the vast majority of people in Limerick".

He called the blaze a "wake up call to us all" to work on the "promotion of good relations in our community and peace building in a world that is increasingly fractured and polarised".

People, he said, want their homes and places of worship to be respected, adding nobody "would want to be the subject of racial or other forms of hatred".

"We would want to live in peace. I would like to express the solidarity of Catholics with the Muslim community in Limerick," he added.

Tánaiste Simon Harris also condemned the attack, describing "heinous crime".

Speaking in Waterford, Mr Harris said: "I've just heard of this arson attack in Dooradoyle, and want to condemn it in the absolute clearest of possible terms.

"This is a despicable act. It’s a heinous crime and I have no doubt that it will be investigated with the full rigours of the law and justice system by the gardaí.

"Those responsible for this arson attack must be, and I believe will be, brought to justice."