Government changes plans for Carlow asylum centre in second U-turn of the week
The former Capuchin Friary building on Dublin St in Carlow, where 50 single male asylum seekers were due to move in. Picture: Google Maps
Families will be offered shelter at a Carlow premises, after the Government axed its plans to house single male asylum seekers in a rural setting for the second time in a week.
Last night it was confirmed Government had u-turned on plans to house 50 men at a premises in Carlow town saying instead families would be offered shelter there.
The move largely nullified planned protests at the building but there was still a number of protestors at the site yesterday evening.
They had started gathering outside the former Capuchin Friary building on Dublin St in the town on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, local representatives and TDs in Carlow had criticised the Government for its lack of communication on moving the 50 asylum seekers into the 15-room premises.
The u-turn came less than 24 hours after local TDs were told the men would be housed there, and just days after a protest in Mayo also saw the Department of Integration agree to offer accommodation to families and not males following protests outside a premises in Ballinrobe.
Migrant rights groups said the Government must show leadership and fulfil its obligations to house asylum seekers at a time when there are currently over 500 people not in receipt of State-provided shelter.
They said the State must urgently source accommodation for single people as well as families arriving here.
“Research has shown time and time again that immigration does not lead to an increase in criminal activity,” said Nasc CEO Fiona Hurley. “False narratives around this only serve to divide communities and isolate people who are seeking protection.”
Doras CEO John Lannon said the latest climbdown highlights the need “once again” for proper planning from Government.
“The Government are in breach of their [EU] obligations and have to find a solution,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Integration confirmed that despite initially planning to use the property in Carlow to house men, following a departmental meeting on Tuesday night, a decision was made to provide the beds to families due to the increasing number seeking shelter.
A government source said accommodation for families was "extremely tight" and officials will meet on that today.
Earlier Minister Eamon Ryan said it was important that "no one area is overburdened" in accommodating asylum seekers.
"But shutting the doors, saying 'Ireland is full' — that is not a viable, correct or appropriate response and option," he added
Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating if 14 immigrants, including two children believed to be aged just six and four, who were smuggled into the country in a refrigerated trailer were trafficked by a major criminal gang.
The children and 12 adults were discovered in a refrigerated trailer attached to a lorry on Monday after they called the UK emergency services from inside the container, fearing they were running out of oxygen.
The truck arrived at Rosslare port from France but the journey began in Belgium and they were believed to be inside for more than 24 hours.
Those on board are understood to be Kurdish, Vietnamese, and Turkish and are now being questioned by officials about their journey, and have received medical attention.
Last night, gardaí in Wexford confirmed they have begun a human trafficking investigation and are liaising with colleagues through Europol and The Hague.
