Protesters continue to block access to former Clare hotel set to house asylum seekers
Been Not As 2022 House Inch Magowna In Ukrainian Had Suitable Building Seekers The In Acmodate Asylum To Declared
Protesters are continuing to block access to a former hotel in Co Clare which is being set to be used to house asylum seekers.
It had earlier been reported that the asylum seekers arrived at Magowna House in Inch on Monday, but Minister of State at the Department of Integration Joe O’Brien said on Tuesday that there has been “some confusion”. He said the asylum seekers are not in the hotel and are currently being housed in three holiday homes.
The understands the hotel will be used to accommodate asylum seekers once a fire cert and sewage issues are sorted.
Tractors and other vehicles were used to blockade both ends of the narrow road up to the premises, which has been closed since 2019.
Locals told RTÉ's that they were concerned about the situation as they "weren't consulted" before the arrival of the asylum seekers.
The building had been declared as not suitable to accommodate Ukrainian asylum seekers in 2022.
Clare TD Cathal Crowe told that there were concerns about fire certification and sewerage as the building is not connected to the mains and uses a septic tank.
He will meet with Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman later today to discuss the situation.
"This is being rushed into" said Mr Crowe.
While residents in the area were entitled to protest and express their concerns, the Fianna Fáil TD said he did not personally agree with the blocking of roads.
Mr Crowe said he had passed on his concerns to Clare County Council, the fire service and the HSE.
Around 3.5% of Clare's population were refugees or asylum seekers, he claimed.
If people were going to be brought to the facility then it should be safe, Mr Crowe added.
The TD said the issue is one of the suitability of the site at Magowna House. There had to be a base level about the quality of accommodation that was acceptable. That had to be central to the discussion, he said.
The protestors had refused access for a pizza delivery to Magowna House on Monday evening, but said this morning that they would allow food to be brought through on 'humanitarian grounds'.
A protest by residents is planned for later today outside Clare County Council's offices.