Protest in Roscrea over plans to accommodate refugees at local convent
A PROTEST was held in Roscrea this week over plans to accommodate refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine in the former Sacred Heart Convent site in Roscrea.
Organisers of the protest thanked the people of Roscrea who showed up at the protest and said their main objective was to highlight the people of Roscrea's concerns about the plans and to highlight that Roscrea's resources are under pressure and cannot sustain more numbers regardless of the nationality of the people coming in.
Gillian Dunne invited Ukrainian families and all asylum seekers in Roscrea to attend and have their voices heard as regards issues with resources, jobs opportunities etc. Various people spoke including Gillian Dunne, Peter Madden and Linn Sadauskaite.
Also in attendance was John McGhee, who accompanied Gillian to speak with security personnel at the convent.
Last week the Tribune reported that construction work to prepare the site, which has been partly dormant since 1999 when it closed after 157 years of providing education, began last month amid local speculation about what the landmark building will be used for.
Local Independent County Councillor, Shane Lee, told the Tribune that he is urging the owner of the former Sacred Heart Convent and Secondary School and Minister for Integration, Roderick O’Gorman, to meet and engage publicly with local people to clarify the plans for the building before any decisions on its future use are made.
Cllr Lee said it is understood that an application has been lodged seeking to provide accommodation in the building for up to 400 Ukrainian people, who are fleeing the Russian invasion of their country.
"Basically, the people of Roscrea are being kept in the dark", Cllr Lee said.
"Not informing people of their plans has resulted in a backlash from many people, with rumours spreading that a second Direct Provision Centre could be located in the premises. One already exists in Roscrea.
"The town is also home to a large number of non-nationals currently employed in local industries and businesses and residing in accommodation across the town", he said.
"Services in Roscrea are already under severe pressure. Accessing GP and medical services as well as securing school places are some of the key concerns that local people have raised with me.
"The people of Roscrea are kind-hearted and generous, however I am satisfied that Roscrea is already overburdened and not capable of taking in upwards of 400 additional people as it cannot provide for their needs.
"Had those who made this decision conducted proper research they would have immediately ascertained that fact. Local people are angry with the secrecy around plans for the former Sacred Heart Convent and Secondary School. They feel that they have a right to know what is happening in their hometown", Cllr Lee said.