A protest has been mounted outside an historic former religious property in Cork city following confirmation that it is being considered as a possible accommodation centre for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The confirmation from the Department of Integration that it is examining the former Dominican Fathers’ Ennismore retreat centre in Mayfield comes just days after several Cork city councillors denied rumours swirling on social media that the building was to be used to house either international protection applicants or Ukrainian refugees.
Based on briefings from city officials and the owners of the building, Labour Cllr John Maher and Fine Gael Cllr Joe Kavanagh were among the public representatives who publicly denied the rumours about “unvetted males” being housed at the property.
“There are currently no plans in place to accommodate anyone at all in the old Dominicans building in Ennismore. Rumours currently circulating are 100% false,” Mr Kavanagh said.
Mr Maher said he had spoken to council officials who had made contact with the owners of the building, and he said: “the false news is incorrect and unhelpful”.
However, in a statement to the Irish Examiner on Monday, the department said it is responding to an offer of accommodation in respect of this property, and that the city council had been consulted on the issue.
“Discussions with the provider are at an advanced stage, and a full assessment of the property is currently taking place,” it said.
“Cork City Council has been consulted on the suitability of this accommodation.
“Should it be deemed suitable for accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, the (department’s) community engagement team will provide detailed information in direct engagements with elected representatives in advance.”
It is understood the offer was made to the department over eight months ago. It is not clear when the city council was first consulted.
The revelation prompted an almost immediate protest by a small group of people on a public green opposite the property, but the attendance grew quickly within two hours. At one point, there were at least 200 people at the protest.
It was streamed online by anti-migrant agitator Derek Blighe, who is also protesting outside Abbeyville House in Fermoy, another property being considered by the department, and it was addressed by a number of speakers, including Anita Ward and Ross Lahive, who have been involved in several anti-asylum seeker and library protests.
They denied the protest was racially or politically motivated and said Ireland's homeless should be housed first.
It prompted calls from Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould for immediate clarity on the situation.
“We have government councillors saying one thing very strongly and a government minister saying another,” he said.
“The community need to know what the answer is here. We need urgent clarity and I am calling on the Minister, Roderic O’Gorman, to come to Cork to meet with the council, with councillors and most importantly with the community and give people the answers they deserve.
“This situation is a shocking indictment of the government’s complete failure to manage the constraints in accommodation for those seeking protection.
“They are causing confusion and anger in local communities by failing to give clear, correct information when asked.
“The local community are strong and has always been welcoming. Sowing division and creating mistrust does nothing for the community and does nothing for the vulnerable people who may be moving into Ennismore.
“The blame for any anger lies at the feet of the government who have once again shown that they do not have communities, or those seeking protection in this state, at the heart of their approach.”