Justice Minister calls for direct provision centre protesters to 'step back'

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has called on residents of the Connemara town of Oughterard to “step back” and allow for the process of selecting new direct provision centre for asylum seekers to take place.

Speaking in Galway today, Mr Flanagan expressed regret about “heightened” tensions, and said no decision had been made as to whether a hotel in Oughterard would be used to accommodate asylum seekers.