LATEST: Convent in Tipperary plans to accommodate refugees as locals 'kept in dark'

Plans to accommodate refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine in the former Sacred Heart Convent site in Roscrea have prompted local representatives to seek clarity on several issues concerning the local community.

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.

Rumours of protests online and local concerns that Roscrea, which has a direct provision centre located in Corville House in the former Sean Ross Abbey site, is already struggling to accommodate the sudden influx of residents.

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.

"There is also huge anxiety around policing in the town, as the Garda Station is significantly under-resourced and is only open to the public for limited periods during the day. At night, the town is dependent on Gardai being dispatched from Stations in nearby towns some twenty miles away", Cllr. Lee said.

"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.

"Earlier additions to the population of the town have already resulted in Roscrea people struggling to access vital services. They feel that their town is being taken over without any engagement or consideration for their needs and they have had no opportunity to establish the facts on what is happening, much less voice an opinion.

"This lack of information and consultation is resulting in frustration. This anger will continue to grow until the people of Roscrea are given the opportunity to hear from the owner what his present and future plans entail", Cllr. Lee said.

"People feel that the owner and the Minister also need to hear the views of the Gardai, local Doctors, schools and transport providers as their services are critical to further expanding the population of the town. If these critical services can not be provided the result will be a catastrophe.

"I am requesting, as a public representative of the local people, that the owner of the former Convent and the Minister come to the town to outline their intentions before any further moves are made.

"I am asking that they engage with local people and listen to their views and the views of the necessary service providers", Cllr. Lee told this newspaper.