Westmeath Protester Hits Back At Claims Demonstration Was Aggressive

Wednesday, 11 December 2024 14:10

People gathered outside an IPAS centre under development on Sunday.

A protester in Westmeath is hitting back at claims a demonstration outside an asylum seeker accommodation centre at the weekend was aggressive.

People gathered at the site in Athlone on Sunday to protest against the Department of Integration developing the site for up to 1 thousand International Protection Applicants.

The Department claims damage was done to an generator in the Lissywollen centre, causing a temporary loss of power.

Gráinne Robins, from the Athlone Stands Together group, says she is concered by the lack of communication over the issue:

Following the weekend's unrest, the Department of Integration says they must keep moving people into a temporary accomodation centre in Westmeath as they're at risk of becoming homeless.

In a statement to Midlands 103, a Department spokesperson says there are ongoing legal proceedings in relation to this site that they are respectful of.

The Department insists they're extremely concerned about the welfare of people to whom we have a legal duty of care:

Finding accommodation for people seeking international protection has become ever more urgent due to the acute shortage of space and ongoing numbers of applications.

Nearly 3,000 international protection applicants have no offer of accommodation at the moment. Over the last number of weeks, because of cold and stormy weather, some of our accommodation sites for male applicants have been placed out of use.

Applicants for international protection do not have access to social housing support or standard social welfare entitlements, and many of them lack a network of family or friends in the State to assist them with accommodation. Temporary accommodation sites such as this site in Athlone are an essential component of the Government’s strategy to provide basic accommodation to applicants.

The Department is obliged to begin providing accommodation to people who are in urgent need of basic shelter and supports, and at immediate risk of homelessness.

On Sunday 8 December, a number of unauthorised people entered Midlands Accommodation Centre in Athlone. During the disturbance, a member of the onsite security team was injured. There were no injuries to residents of the centre.

One of the site’s electrical blocks was damaged during the disturbance, causing a temporary power outage. The damage has since been repaired and power has been restored.

The Department will continue to use Midlands Accommodation Centre to provide much-needed shelter to people seeking international protection.