Local residents of Roscrea, Co. Tipperary continue to protest today at the Racket Hall Hotel, as 160 migrants seeking asylum are due to take up residence there.
The protest began on the evening of Thursday, 11 January and locals say a large gathering is planned for tomorrow, Saturday the 13th of January, at 3:30pm on Main Street.
#WATCH Protestors have been demonstrating outside a hotel in #Roscrea in County Tipperary.
Racket Hall is earmarked to house 160 international protection applicants. #VMNews pic.twitter.com/3E2x9y1LkB
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) January 12, 2024
Racket Hall Hotel, a 40 bedroom hotel, is due to host Ukrainian refugees for a period of one year. Roscrea hosts an additional 600 asylum seekers at other sites in the town – the 2022 census notes the town’s population as 5,542 residents.
Anyone from Tipperary or surrounding areas if you can get to the racket hall,Roscrea,join the protest against the scandalous attempt to close a towns only function building & hotel to house unknown migrants all because of greedy landlords cashing in on the migration scam pic.twitter.com/z6uuJIfbi4
— Speedy (@speedy_1916) January 12, 2024
Michael Lowry TD has reportedly described the decision as “overwhelming for the people of Roscrea” and criticised the government on local radio for the lack of public consultation, adding that the town was at “tipping point”.
This sentiment has not been isolated to Roscrea. The protests in the town join a series of recent demonstrations in places including Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Coole, Co. Westmeath and Carlow town to name a few. These incidents underscore the growing dissatisfaction among segments of the population with the current immigration policies in Ireland.
Councillor Shane Lee speaking to locals at the protest:
Councillor Shane Lee speaking to locals last night in Roscrea, Tipperary.
Dozens of politicians & councillors are now speaking against our immigration system. #IrelandIsFull pic.twitter.com/frOnQL8cOZ
— RM.tv🇮🇪 (@RealMessageEire) January 12, 2024
In Roscrea, the protests have been primarily centred around concerns relating to job availability, strains on public resources, and cultural integration.
Local residents argue the influx of immigrants threatens their economic prospects and puts additional strain on already stretched community resources.
A group of activists, named Roscrea Stands Up, speaking to The Irish Independent, highlighted that Racket Hall is the only functioning hotel “with no active hotel in Roscrea for weddings, parties, dinner dances.”
https://twitter.com/cilcomlfc/status/1745585595701665819
The protests in Roscrea have drawn widespread attention from various progressive activists, who argue that anti-immigration sentiment undermines the country’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Their critical stance highlights the challenges faced by policymakers in striking a delicate balance between national interest and obligations to international human rights laws.
The recent protests have sparked a national conversation on the topic of immigration, with citizens from across the country engaging in public debates and discussions.
Concerns over immigrants’ impact on job opportunities, cultural identity, security, and social services have become pivotal issues shaping the public discourse, noted in the recent Sunday Independent/ Ireland Thinks poll where 25% of respondents stated immigration as one of the two most important priorities Ireland needs to deal with.
Notice from the Department of Integration regarding the asylum centre
The story continues to develop.
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