Emergency services were alerted to the incident at a former convent in Lanesboro at around 9 o'clock last night.

It's believed the incident was quickly brought under control, with the building reported to be undamaged.

Locals claim there was no engagement from the Government regarding moving international protection applicants into the hotel.

According to the report, Leitrim and Westmeath have the highest proportion of beds contracted to the Government in the region.

Residents had previously staged a protest in the Leitrim village last month, with the Department of Integration at the time delaying the move.

The village had seen protests and blockades in recent weeks with locals highlighting an existing lack of services in the region and worries over the housing of 75 men locally.

Proposals going to cabinet this week could see Ukrainian's limited to 90 days of State accommodation, and a 220 euro weekly allowance cut to just under 39 euro.

Garda in Leitrim have confirmed that they are carrying out inquiries into reports of public roads being blocked as part of the demonstration.