Minister Roderic O’Gorman has confirmed that plans to house refugees in the Westmeath village of Castledown Geoghegan will not go ahead.
The Westmeath Examiner reports on a statement made by Minister of State for European Affairs and Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Peter Burke TD, who said that Minister O’Gorman had confirmed that the plans to house refugees in the village “will no longer be going ahead”.
People in the Westmeath village previously highlighted their concerns around the tiny village’s capacity to house refugees and asylum seekers – holding protests as the small village faced the prospect of doubling in size.
As reported by Gript in March, Castletown Geoghegan Village Steering Group voiced its opposition to the reported plans to house those seeking international protection in Middleton House, a Georgian country house on the outskirts of the village.
In February, it was reported that the Department of Children and Integration was in talks with the owners of Midleton Park over plans to use the sprawling property to house droves of international protection applicants (IPAs).
Minister of State Peter Burke confirmed in March that the Department of Children and Integration was in discussions with the owner of Middleton Park about accommodating refugees and asylum seekers at the former wedding venue.
“I have put the concerns of residents to the Department of Children who have advised that negotiations are ongoing with the owners of Middleton Park, Castletown Geoghegan and that there is the potential to accommodate up to 244 International Protection Applicants there,” the Minister confirmed at the time.
The Westmeath Examiner, reports this week that Robert Troy TD said while there is a “duty of responsibility to offer asylum to genuine and legitimate asylum seekers,” there is also a duty to accommodate refugees in “appropriate settings”.
“We also have a duty to accommodate them in appropriate settings and has to be a right mix in terms of location. I have always said that the army barracks is the ideal location and has the potential to accommodate more people,” he said.
Mr Troy said that there “are more suitable locations” than Castletown Geoghan, and accommodating refugees must be done “in a way that creates social cohesion, as well”.
In a statement, the Castletown Geoghegan Steering Group welcomed confirmation from the Minister.
“There is a huge sense of relief in the village that our concerns in relation to the utter unsuitability of the property to provide accommodation and the subsequent impact on local services are now vindicated.
“The committee also wish to thank the wider community for the unstinting and solid support for our committee over the last six months. Public meetings were hugely attended, and we extend our appreciation to one and all.”
The group also thanked media outlets who reported on the “serious issue for our community”.
“The committee now look ahead to the continued enhancement and improvement works in the village,” they added.