The sale of the Shannon Key West Hotel at Rooskey looks set to go ahead despite last week’s fire.

But the premises could still temporarily become a centre for asylum-seekers.

In December, signed contracts were exchanged for the sale of the hotel from James Kiernan, the current owner, to Paradub, which includes Strokestown solicitor Phelim O’Neill.

But a one-year lease had been agreed previously between Abbey Castle Accommodation and the Department of Justice to run it for a short time as a direct-provision centre.

The lease started in December.

This means it could still be a centre for asylum-seekers for a matter of months.

Last Thursday the hotel went on fire, in a suspected arson attack.

While no significant damage was caused to the exterior, there was smoke damage inside.

It’s understood that despite this, Paradub has not been deterred and still intends closing the sale.

The company intends turning the premises into a four-star hotel as soon as possible.