A “phalanx” of Gardaí, including members of the Garda Public Order Unit, have corralled a protest of some 200 local people in Roscrea to the side of an entrance into the Racket Hall Hotel so that migrants claiming asylum can enter the hotel.
Journalist Darren Keegan said that “a phalanx of public order Gardaí have kettled protesters at Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea as asylum seekers enter the premises.”
He added that Gardaí had closed the road leading to the hotel to facilitate the arrival of buses.
A phalanx of public order Gardaí have kettled protesters at Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea as asylum seekers enter the premises. The N7 road is closed down by Gardaí to facilitate the arrival of buses.#roscrea pic.twitter.com/S1dhjqzayT
— Darren Keegan (@eirejournalist) January 15, 2024
Local Councillor Séamie Morris, who has been critical of the decision to close the only hotel in Roscrea and turn it into a centre for migrants claiming asylum, said that the actions today were a “kick in the teeth” for the people of Roscrea, who he said had a “downgraded Garda station”.
When it comes to policing people's profits there is no shortage of Gardai. This is a kick in the teeth for the people of Roscrea who have a downgraded Garda station https://t.co/vvdeiG9jxQ
— Cllr. Séamie Morris MCC (@Nenaghman) January 15, 2024
Local TD Mattie McGrath said that there was a deep sense of shock and sadness that the government would use the Gardaí against its own people. “It’s a sad day for Ireland. It may be a tipping point, as people have just had enough,” he said.
“The government is totally out of touch and proving itself more anti Irish by the day. It’s a case of “croppy lie down” once again,” he told Gript.
Some of the tense and angry exchanges were shared on social media as hundreds of locals protested what was happening.
This is going around on Whats App. It's awful, the state against the people. #Roscrea pic.twitter.com/8kVxJfnQs0
— Near to Far (@NeartoFar1) January 15, 2024
Listen to @AntonSavageNT chat with @rodericogorman about:
🗞Ireland's immigration policy
🗞The ongoing resistance to housing refugees
🗞The fight against misinformation online about this issueWith thanks to @PwCIreland https://t.co/dq1XJxujFp
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 15, 2024
Last night, locals had said that they would continue to protest “as long as it takes” to ensure the hotel was not turned into an asylum centre. “The town is on its knees .. we have taken in its fair share, the town is full,” one local man, Michael Donovan, told Virgin Media yesterday.
Protesters also pointed out that the town already has two migrant centres – one hosting 400 Ukrainians while another houses 200 of those claiming asylum.
Protestors in Roscrea say they'll continue their action against plans to house up to 160 international protection applicants at a local hotel. Locals are continuing their demonstration for a 4th night tonight, they say their town is full to capacity @BairbreHolmes reports pic.twitter.com/Q2Bdw0W214
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) January 14, 2024
The Independent reported that “Gardaí were seen tussling with the protesters at the entrance of the hotel, which will house 160 international protection applicants from today”.
However. some social media comments were critical of the protesters who they said had no right to block an entrance to the hotel. They also claimed that protesters had shouted at those arriving at the hotel.
This is a breaking news story.