Call to shut asylum seekers’ hostel as conditions worsen

There have been repeated calls for the closure of an asylum seekers’ hostel in Co Limerick where gardaí have been called on a number of occasions in the past week due to disturbances over conditions there.

The centre in the former Mount Trenchard convent boarding school three miles from Foynes, houses 55 male asylum-seekers.

Three residents were still refusing food, and taking water, yesterday in a protest at conditions there.

A fourth, who was moved to another centre in the old Hanratty’s Hotel in Limerick, was also refusing food and water.

Karen McHugh, chief executive of Doras Luimní, a body which assists asylum-seekers and immigrants, said they held a meeting with the owners of Mount Trenchard on Thursday last about conditions there.

She said: “We thought we had an agreement on various issues of concern, but these have not been complied with. We feel that this centre should be closed due to conditions there. The fact that it is in an isolated location also adds to the distress of the residents there. They cannot afford public transport into Limerick or Foynes on the €19.10 a week they get.”

There are four direct provision centres in Limerick catering for over 400 asylum-seekers.

Two accommodate males and females and two accommodate males only.

Ms McHugh said the Foynes centre is the only one in Limerick which causes them concern due to conditions there.

She said: “There is no independent inspections by the Health and Safety Authority or Hiqa and the reception and integration agency do not have to answer to any other outside body about conditions in which the residents have to stay in. The media are now allowed in. Of course the big issue is the amount of time people are kept in these centres. Some have been in centres for 10 years and more.”

She said families are divided and spread through centres located in different parts of the country.

Ms McHugh said: “This causes enormous stress and mental health problems as people are being forced to live in circumstances of terrible uncertainty over very long periods of time.”

A man arrested at Mount Trenchard on Sunday appeared before Ennis District Court on Monday charged with causing criminal damage.

His case was adjourned to Newcastle West District Court on September 3 and he was granted bail when the court was told he had been moved from Mount Trenchard to a direct provision centre in Limerick city.