'Morally wrong,' victory for Tipperary community fighting for asylum seeker families

The community of Borrisokane on Thursday was rejoicing after it was confirmed that a government decision to transfer asylum seeker families, who have been living in the town since 2019, to alternative accommodation in Birr will not go ahead.

A protest march of several hundred people was held in the town on Wednesday evening and was attended by a Tipperary TD and local councillors supporting the campaign against the decision.

Labour TD Alan Kelly was scathing in his criticism of the decision, adding that Borrisokane should be held up as a blueprint for other towns about how integration can be successful.

The decision to proceed with their eviction from the Riverside accommodation complex in Borrisokane to emergency accommodation at a former nursing home in Birr has been paused.

19 asylum seeker families have been living in the town since 2019 after they were granted asylum status, but faced losing their residence in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation.

Six of the families were due to be moved today and the 13 remaining families over the coming weeks and months - depending on when their asylum status had been granted. 30 of the residents are children who attend local schools and are members of local sporting teams.

Local Parish Priest, Father Tom O'Halloran addressed the crowd at last night's demonstration and a letter from local GP, Dr. Ruari Glynn, described the government's decision as "unethical and morally wrong" and said many of the people living in Borrisokane suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after fleeing life threatening situations in their homelands.

Councillor Joe Hannigan addresses the large crowd outside the Rviverside Apartments in Borrisokane. Photo: D. Keegan

Local Independent Councillor, Joe Hannigan, told the crowd at last night's demonstration that Minister for Integration, Roderic O'Gorman, needs to sit down with the owners of the building and find a solution.

This morning Deputy Alan Kelly told RTÉ that Mr O’Gorman had been in touch with him to confirm that the proposed transfer of six families from Borrisokane to Birr would not go ahead and the department would "redouble its efforts" to find alternative accommodation for them in the Borrisokane area with the assistance of the local authority.

"I’m glad the Minister and the Government saw sense on this matter and that any evictions of these residents will not now go ahead and they will work on soluctions to allow them to stay", he told RTÉ.

"The heavy-handed tactics treating these families and children in this way was never on and Borrisokane should be embraced as one of the best examples of integration in the country."

In a statement released to all Tipperary TDs, Mr O’Gorman said that his department understands the challenges that exist for people moving on from the International Protection system in accessing alternative accommodation in the community.

Tthe department will work with the remaining families at Riverside IPAS centre, Tipperary County Council and local community groups and representatives, to find suitable alternative accommodation for these families, the Minister said.

When the accommodation is found it is important the Riverside IPAS centre continues to be used to provide much needed accommodation for people seeking International Protection, he added.