Department denies prison plan to hold asylum seekers

THE Department of Justice said the new prison complex in north Dublin would “absolutely” not be used to detain asylum seekers applying for refugee status.

A spokesman said a unit in Thornton Hall would be used only to house failed asylum seekers facing deportation. He said this was already the case, but that currently they were held alongside prisoners in the same jail.

The spokesman said the department was examining whether or not to bring in legislation to allow the State detain asylum applicants, but stressed there were “no plans” at the moment. It is understood that, if the department goes down this line, asylum seekers will not be housed in Thornton Hall, but in a separate facility.