Asylum protesters have been transferred

As four asylum seekers continued to refuse food at a hostel accommodation near Foynes, it emerged yesterday a number of residents involved in last week’s protests at the centre have been transferred, some to Cork.

One resident, involved in a violent incident at Mount Trenchard, 5km from Foynes, also yesterday, appeared before a vacation sitting of Ennis District Court.

Doras Luimní, a Limerick-based organisation which works with asylum seekers and immigrants, yesterday called for the closure of the Mount Trenchard centre.

Gardaí were called to the centre on Thursday, and again on Sunday, after a resident caused damage.

A spokesperson for Doras Luimní said yesterday: “The residents and the owner of the centre at Mount Trenchard shook hands and we left, confident that the issues raised would be addressed.

“But before we got back to Limerick, a 30-minute drive, we were informed that two of the residents that we spoke to on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday had been issued with transfer orders from the reception integration agency.

“We were shocked and appalled as we felt very confident that the residents and the management had come to a satisfactory agreement to both parties. But, within minutes of our departure, everything had changed.”

Thursday’s protesters complained about food and living conditions. They also said they were isolated in Mount Trenchard and could not afford public transport to Limerick and have to walk to Foynes 5km away, along the busy N69 to acquire basic items.

Limerick City is 43km from the centre.

The protests at Mount Trenchard are part of the national campaign to end direct provision during which asylum-seekers get €19.10 per week.

Doras Luimní said some asylum seekers at Mount Trenchard have spent up to 10 years in direct provision, which has isolated them from their own families and children. They say their isolation at Mount Trenchard causes stress and anxiety.

Matt Cannon of Doras Luimní said: “The type of incidents at Mount Trenchard are not new to the direct provision system and we have dealt with issues at Hanratty’s centre in Limerick city where we have mediated in residents protests. There are larger structural issues which need to be addressed.”

Doras Luimní has been a long-time critic of direct provision. On average, asylum-seekers spend four years in direct provision accommodation. However, about 25% spend up to six years in centres, before their cases are finalised.