Roscrea Community Action Group appeal to Minister Roderic O'Gorman

Tipperary has seen several communities protest changes to the provision of emergency accommodation for people seeking asylum in Ireland in recent weeks, with public meetings and demonstrations erupting in Clonmel, Dundrum, Borrisokane and Rathcabbin.

In Januray Roscrea's only hotel was repurposed to provide emergency accommodation to International Protection Applicants (IPAS) and local activists are concerned that other facilities currently accommodating Ukrainian refugees will be changed to accommodate more international protection applicants.

Currently Corville House, located in the St. Anne's campus, the former Racket Hall Hotel and numerous residences around Roscrea are occupied by IPAS residents.

The former Sacred Heart Convent and secondary school on Convent Hill underwent extensive renovation works in the last two years and currently houses approximately 200 people fleeing the war in Ukraine and will accommodate 400 people when works are completed and it reaches capacity.

Some local people fear that as the number of Ukrainian refugees seeking emergency accommodation in Ireland falls, sites currently used to provide them with emergency accommodation will be designated as IPAS accommodation.

The local activist group formed in the wake of the closure of the Racket Hall Hotel, Roscrea Community Action Group (RCAG), have expressed that concern in a letter primarily aimed at Minister for Integration, Roderic O'Gorman (GP).

The letter will also be sent to Dáil representatives Joe O'Brien, John Brady, Martin Browne, Jackie Cahill, Michael Lowry, Alan Kelly, Carol Nolan, Brendan Kenny and several local county councillors.

The letter reads: “ Dear Roderic, We write with concern in relation to Roscrea Co Tipperary. Specifically what's currently happening in our neighbouring Borrisokane and we ask that this situation not be allowed to ever replicate in Roscrea.

“When Roscrea's immigration centres are at capacity, our town will have welcomed just under 1,000 refugees. Two of these centres currently house people from Ukrainian and families seeking international protection.

“We implore you to ensure that the purpose of these centres does not change to IPA's centres at anytime in the future, as the Department needs to recognise that small towns such as ours cannot sustain any more large volumes of men.

“We have been given assurances from your department in the past regarding IPAS premises in Roscrea (Corville House, Sean Ross) that haven't been upheld, however we would nevertheless appreciate a commitment on this, to ease unrest within the community”, the letter states.

Fiona Dunford, PRO for the Community Action Group, keeps local people updated via the local press and social media about the latest communication from elected representatives and government officials.

DUNDRUM HOUSE HOTEL, BORRISOKANE AND MORE

Further south in Tipperary the community of Dundrum expressed anger at a public meeting attended by over 400 people on Sunday night - the second public meeting held in the last fortnight.

80 IPAS applicants are expected to arrive at the Dundrum House Hotel in the coming days, which has already been accommodating people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Department of Integration has confirmed that Dundrum House has been identified as a centre to house international protection applicants.

“Ireland is currently experiencing an acute shortage of accommodation for people seeking international protection,” said a spokesperson from the Department.

“As vacancies arise within existing properties used for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, where the provider agrees, the Department is availing of these spaces.

"A number of such moves are being planned, including Dundrum House Hotel. Eighty beds have been identified for use and the overall capacity at this property remains the same,” they said.

The picture mirrors that of Borrisokane, where in recent days Syrian refugees who moved to state provided emergency accommodation in Borrisokane in 2019 have been asked to vacate their residences after it was designated to provide IPAs accommodation.

Local and Dáil representatives attended a meeting in the town, where local people rejected the plans and called for the refugee families who have already integrated into the community to be left in their current accommodation.

Tipperary Labour TD, Alan Kelly, raised the issue in the Dáil and said the community in Borrisokane "went against the grain and welcomed in what turned out to be 96 asylum seekers into their community".

Also the community hall in Rathcabbin saw a large crowd attend a public meeting recently after news broke of government plans to accommodate 30 to 35 IPAs at the former St Kieran's Nursing Home in the village.

Local people criticised the dearth of communication and accurate information about the plans and said the small rural village hasn't adequate essential services to support such a dramatic overnight influx of people.

TDs Jackie Cahill and Michael Lowry shared the community's concerns and said they will communicate the feelings of the community to Minister for Integration, the Green Party's Roderic O'Gorman.