UPDATE: Gardaí called to protest in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny

Kilkenny Live understands that a group of approximately 20 people gathered for a sit-in protest outside the former Josephine's Restaurant in Urlingford earlier to voice their opposition against the possible use of the site to house migrants.

According to an eye-witness, the gathering appeared to be 'getting heated' after Gardaí arrived on the scene.

It's understood that similar protests has taken place in the town over the past number of days.

The protests follow a video released on social media earlier this week, where two men claimed the site was being prepared to house a large volume of migrants, some of which were 'possibly dangerous men'.

In a 10-minute video posted to the YouTube platform, the pair said they were 'assuming the worst', They needed to act now, they said, criticising the lack of communication with locals on the issue.

A statement was issued in response on behalf of the owners of the site, Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd, who said they wanted to put an end to the 'misinformation' shared in the video.

"The site is currently being redeveloped and repurposed to accommodate both Ukrainian people and their families, who are fleeing the war in their country, and staff of the company," they said. "We currently have a number of Ukrainian people working in our group of companies and we will continue to support them and their families during this time of unrest in Ukraine.

"Once the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine comes to an end the company intends to utilise the building to cater for our staff, as well as a base for the business headquarters for the company.

"The owners were this week made aware of a misleading video being shared across social media, which has prompted a series of negative and unjust comments surrounding the plans for the site in question," they continued. "The false allegations being made in the post claim that the building is being developed to house International Protection (IP) Migrants; a claim that is 'absolutely and wholeheartedly untrue'."

Responding to the negative narrative that has been spun in recent days, the Directors of the company commented: "This week, a number of falsified claims were brought to our attention regarding the development of the building at the former site of Josephine’s Restaurant. We can say, profoundly, that this information is categorically untrue. At no time was it ever considered to use the building to house International Protection (IP) Migrants and as such, we would request the misinformation currently being spread to desist.

They continued: "The current campaign of scaremongering and lies directed towards us has the sole purpose of causing worry in the community when it is not warranted. Lies and mistruths that are spread on social media are profoundly hurtful and damaging. As our families are long-standing members of the Urlingford community, we would request this to cease."