Three new accommodation centres to open for asylum seekers amidst anti-immigration protests

Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of Ireland, has confirmed news that three new accommodation centre for those seeking asylum are due to open in Dublin. This comes amidst the Government’s scramble to provide housing for those international applicants who are currently sleeping rough.

The three centres are located at the Airways Industrial Estate in Santry, the former Senior College on Eblana Avenue in Dún Laoghaire, and Clondalkin’s Dolcain House.

RTÉ News has reported that the Minister has also stated that 350 beds are to become available over the next few days to asylum seekers after fire safety certificates have been secured, amongst other measures.

The news arrives after tents used by asylum seekers were set alight last Friday by anti-immigration protesters. Another protest that took place in Inch, Co.Clare saw local residents creating a blockade to stop asylum seekers entering holiday homes at Magowna House hotel, amidst claims regarding concerns about the accommodation’s suitability and that they hadn’t been informed prior.

Speaking from a summit in Iceland, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called for an end to the blockade, stating, “People do want to know what’s happening, they want certain assurances, and we have a responsibility to do that, that doesn’t mean that people can say that certain types of people can’t live in their area, we can’t tolerate that”.

Talks over how to best protect asylum seekers sleeping rough are due to take place today between Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and O’Gorman.

A Garda spokesperson told The Journal yesterday that gardaí “continue to have a proportionate response” to what they said was a “peaceful demonstration” outside the hotel in Inch.”

In terms of the wider protests taking place, the spokesperson continued, “Any Garda response in relation to evolving events is in keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.”

So far the government is adamant that asylum seekers will not be redirected from the arranged housing in Inch, with O’Gorman outlining that this is not an option.