PICTURES: Roscrea asylum seeker protest at Racket Hall Hotel
Protestors mounted a barricade with further protest planned in the Tipperary town
A protest outside the gates of Roscrea's only hotel against the decision to accommodate asylum seekers has continued.
Protestors say they have no plans to abandon their demonstration at Rackett Hall and plan to attempt to block any vehicles carrying international asylum applicants from entering the premises.
A further protest is planned in the town centre for tomorrow at 3:30pm. The demonstration is organised by local activist group Roscrea Stands Up, who have invited local representatives to attend.
The decision to close the hotel to the public and accommodate 160 international protection applicants has drawn strong condemnation from local elected representatives and was described as a "tipping point" for Roscrea by Deputy Michael Lowry.
Roscrea's Garda Station is closed at night and the heritage town's healthcare services are overburdened elected representatives have pointed out and the town is already struggling with the dramatic influx in population last year.
Students Workers in Racket Hall, Ciara Kirwan and Kate Maloney are pictured voicing their concerns about their jobs. Photo: PJ Wright
Roscrea based Councillor, Shane Lee, addresses the crowd at the protest at Racket Hall in Roscrea. Photo: PJ Wright