A packed public meeting in Athlone has heard local concerns over proposed asylum accommodation to house an additional 1,000 refugees.
Around 350 people attended the “heated” meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel, local news outlet Shannonside reports, with the gathering organised by Athlone Stands Together.
It is understood that the The Department of Integration is seeking to accommodate the refugees in Lissywollen, close to Athlone – initially in tents and later in modular homes. The direct provision centre was opened in the year 2000, and at the time was designed to be a short term centre to meet temporary need.
Last month, Gript reported that the Department Integration (DCEDIY) had notified elected representatives in the Athlone area that it is to proceed with the opening of an accommodation centre for people seeking International Protection at Lissywollen.
The overall development of the centre has been described as being in the “very early stage” but Councillors are informed that work on the site will “commence soon” and that it is envisaged that the first 100 residents will be moved into the centre five to six weeks after the work on the site commences.
However, Westmeath County Councillors elected to Athlone Moate Municipal Council passed a motion calling for a halt to construction of the site.
Independent Ireland Councillor Paul Hogan, who is to contest the Longford/Westmeath constituency in the forthcoming elections, proposed a motion on planning grounds that was passed unanimously by the Council.
Cllr Hogan told Gript that he had looked at the relevant planning legislation and he claims that the Ministerial approval for the IPAS Centre under Section 181 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 does not apply to a function reserved to local authorities for the construction of temporary dwellings. That reserved function is outlined in the Local Government Reform Act of 2014.
In a statement posted online, the local group aired its concerns around the plan, writing that the proposals amounted to a “disgrace.”
“In a town where there is 1 in 5 commercial properties closed with numbers continuing in wrong direction , traffic congestion getting out of control, 12 to 24 month waiting lists for child care, schools, doctors and dentists stretched to full capacity in a town with a Garda force of only 183 members with a population of 22k people plus to put 1000 unvetted males into the community beside a creche and national school is a complete disgrace.”
A spokesperson for Athlone Stands Together told Gript today:
“In regards the public meeting last night we feel it went in the right direction in what we are trying to do which is raise awareness for our town, us people, our overstretched and very limited services such as doctors, schools, creches, and waiting lists for any appointments already.
“The people of Athlone stood together to raise their concerns about the ongoing work for the new ipa centre currently being built within athlone. The people spoke on their worries for the fact there will be 1,000 to 1,500 men who will not be vetted for up to 18months placed in Athlone beside a creche and a school with no idea who or where they are coming from.
“People also raised their concerns for safety referencing the site that was there in 2022 with 174 men living there at the time and the trouble that happened in which the site had to be closed down within two weeks, people asked what happens if the same happens in the new site how will it be contained with a guard force of only 183 members?
“The councillors in attendance were Paul Hogan, Frankie Keena, Mayor of Athlone, Margaret Maguire and Louise Heavin who each spoke to the crowd in regards their views and answered the peoples questions.”
The local organisation thanked a number of politicians for attending the event, including Mayor of Athlone Municipal District, Frankie Keena.
Mr Keena told Shannonside Northern Sound on Wednesday: “The atmosphere in the room was that people were annoyed. They’re concerned and they feel helpless. The development is taking place at a rapid speed, and nothing seems to be being done about it.”
Cllr Keena previously told local media that his fellow councillors are unhappy at the sudden order from the department and lack of local consultation.
He said that local representatives were aware that the development of the site was “still very much taking place” despite local opposition within the community, adding: “We are seeking legal advice to take out an injunction to stop this development.”
Councillor Paul Hogan, told last night’s meeting that he had stood with locals repeatedly on the issue, with those in attendance applauding him.
“It’s certainly something that myself and the other (council) members share your concern,” he said, with the local representative adding that there was concern in the council around “how fast things are moving.” Cllr Hogan said he had “been out on the line” with locals a number of times, and that locals had complained about flood lights shining in to houses from the site – making it difficult for kids to sleep.
Speaking in the Dáil in July, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the Athlone centre was a site where the Government is planning to “bring additional capacity” and “upgrade to (a) reception and integration centre”.
He said that this was part of a “new comprehensive accommodation strategy for international protection applicants” which had been agreed by the Government in March.