'Roscrea is a welcoming town' - Anti racism vigil to take place this weekend
Protests have been taking place in Roscrea over the accommodation of asylum seekers at the closed Racket Hall hotel since January
An anti-racism vigil is being planned for Roscrea amid ongoing protests against the accommodation of asylum seekers at the Racket Hall Hotel and elsewhere in the Tipperary town.
Protests erupted back in January when the Racket Hall was closed abruptly to accommodate asylum seekers. A number of demonstrations since have spanned from the Racket Hall to the centre or Roscrea and even the house of an individual in Tullamore this week.
Protesters at those demonstrations have used them to call for better services and Government support for Roscrea while also carrying banners with anti-immigration slogans like 'Ireland is Full.'
Now, the Tipperary Anti Racism Network is planning a vigil to say that Roscrea is "a welcoming town." The vigil is planned for Castle Street in the town this weekend.
In a post on social media, the group said: "Roscrea is a welcoming town. The problems facing the town in terms of services and housing haven't been caused by asylum seekers.
"As people who live and work in Tipperary those spreading this divisive fear mongering do not speak for us.
"Join us on the 9th [March] in Roscrea to clearly say no to racism."