The decision was made at a special meeting this morning.
Athlone Municipal District is to seek a legal injunction to stop works on a temporary accommodation site in the town.
The Department of Integration is planning a site with a capacity of 1,000 male asylum seekers in Lissywollen.
At a special meeting of Athlone and Moate councillors today, the municipal district decided to exercise power under the Local Government Act to prohibit the development of temporary dwellings.
Independent Ireland Councillor Paul Hogan says the decision taken is unanimous: