Explosive public meeting in Cashel over International Protection Applicants arriving this week

Halla na Feile in Cashel was packed to capacity tonight for a public meeting about International Protection Applicants who are due to arrive in Cashel over the coming days. 

 An explosive public information meeting to discuss International Protection Applicants relocation to Cashel was held and, after more than two hours of discussions, many locals still felt shock and anger at the suddenness of the news and the numbers involved.

Community activist Liam Browne organised the meeting to ensure locals are informed of the expected influx of 74 male International Protection Applicants which are due to be housed at Cashel Holiday Hostel located on John Street in the heart of the town.

Many of the public felt dismayed with what they felt was a lack of information and transparency.

The evening opened with the local politicians that attended sharing what they knew about the evolving situation. 

The floor was then opened to the public to share their views before the meeting finished with the announcement that over 400 people had written their name to protest at the imminent arrival of the International Protection Applicants.

Local TD's Martin Browne and Mattie McGrath attended as did local Councillors Declan Burgess, Roger Kennedy and Michael Fitzgerald. 

The politicians said they were only made aware of the imminent arrival via email on Thursday last and the first group are set to arrive over the coming days. 

There were calls from the crowd to "block the roads" into the town and also to protest at John's Street. 

All five politicians present faced the ire of those gathered as the general consensus amongst the crowd was that 74 arrivals in such a manner is too much for the town to adequately cope with on a functional basis. 

Deputy Martin Browne said one of the concerns he had is that homeless people, who had previously been housed in the hostel, would now have no accommodation:

"One of the venues we use is now suddenly gone. We are in the dark with that. The concern then is that 74 are coming into the one area. 

"I will be honest, I don't know but what we got in the email is saying that the building is passed for 74 people regarding fire safety. We looked for that kind of information to see if that is true and, whenever I find out, I will put it up on social media," said Martin Browne. 

Deputy Mattie McGrath said it was a very serious situation and he said he got the same email relating to the subject as Martin last week. He said he contacted Ministers in Dublin but now had more questions than answers. 

"I'm not sure it could be in any way adapted to keep 74 people. I wanted a cap on the number of refugees from the war in Ukraine. It is untenable now," Mattie McGrath said before adding that he will raise the matter in the Dail. 

Councillor Declan Burgess pointed out that he got an email on Thursday evening about the arrival of 74 refugees to the hostel which has housed tourists as well as homeless people over the past number of years. 

He said it is what he called "a very emotive and concerning issue. 

"That briefing note was sent outlining that the Department was assigned a 12 month contract with Cashel town Hostel on John Street stating that from the 7th of November onwards 74 beds would be provided to people seeking refuge in Ireland under the status of International Protection Applicants, so these are not Ukrainian refugees these are International Protection Applicants."

Cllr Burgess went on to say he is concerned about the location of the site and said that "a company from Monaghan has entered into the agreement with the owner and the department" before adding that he is "keen to get a meeting with the department and officials."

The Chair of the Residents Association from John's Street, Donagh Davern, also spoke on the night saying that there were numerous issues on John Street over the previous year with people staying in the hostel. He said they have not been contacted by the Department regarding this latest issue. 

The International Protection Applicants are due to arrive in Cashel this week.