Call for independent complaints process

THE Irish Refugee Council has said an independent complaints process was needed for asylum seekers after a teenage girl was allegedly raped and impregnated by another resident.

It is alleged the girl was raped five months ago at a centre in Co Mayo. Gardaí are investigating.

The council’s chief executive, Sue Conlan, referred to the delay between the alleged incident and the matter being investigated, and said the fear of making complaints was putting vulnerable people who are in asylum seeker accommodation at risk.

She said she was “not surprised” such an incident could take place within the asylum system.

“The complaints function should be transferred away from the RIA [Reception and Integration Agency] and the Department of Justice to an independent body such as the Ombudsman.”

She said that while asylum seekers may make complaints to the RIA, many fear they will be penalised or that it will negatively affect their asylum application.

One man familiar with the Mayo case told the Irish Examiner that anyone who made a complaint within an asylum seeker centre would be moved to another centre.