Mattie McGrath: Alleges no fire certification at Dundon House

Mattie McGrath raised alarms about safety at Dundon House Hotel in Tipperary, saying the department converted the building into an IPAS centre despite lacking fire certification. He said about 70 IPAS residents, including women and children, were placed in the uncertified building and described the decision as "reckless in the extreme."

Claims about Dundon House

McGrath told the Dáil the department, under emergency legislation, had previously housed "270 or 80" men, women and children from Ukraine at Dundon House Hotel and that the community had integrated and welcomed them. He said the department later decided to make the hotel an IPAS centre and that roughly 70 IPAS residents, many women and children, were placed there while it lacked fire certification.

Safety and warnings

He said he, the committee and the community engagement team warned the department and ministers that the building had no fire certification, and that pressure had been applied to the local fire office and County Council. McGrath repeatedly emphasised the perceived danger to the residents, calling the decision "reckless in the extreme."

Alleged owner and remediation work

McGrath stated that "Mr Leo, part owner of the hotel," had engaged Frank C. Murray construction to attempt to bring the building up to fire regulations. He contrasted that with his account that the Minister for Justice had spent 30,000 in a siege of Dundrum with 200 guaranteed, including the dog squad, and criticised the handling of the situation.

Ministerial response

In reply the minister said they were not familiar with the specific cases and offered to ask a colleague to engage directly with McGrath on the matter. The exchange ended with a commitment to follow up rather than an immediate resolution.