Group refuses to call time on ‘wet house’ protest

A THURLES community group insists it will continue to block the construction of a controversial “wet house” for homeless people over claims it is taking resources away from an existing service.

The comments came after gardaí were twice called to the site of the planned development within a matter of hours on Tuesday morning to calm the long-standing dispute between the Mitchel Street Residents and Business Association group and private developers Arlington Novas.

Residents’ spokesperson Michael Walsh said the demonstration took place in an attempt to block the construction of the facility, which he said is taking money away from a service run by the Simon Community on the outskirts of town.