McEntee denies claims that the Government has 'backed down' in the face of anti-migrant protests

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said discussing the arson risked ‘giving legitimacy’ to the attacks (Niall Carson/PA)

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has denied that the Government “backed down” in the face of protests in Ballinrobe and Carlow with regard to accommodation for male asylum seekers.

Providing accommodation for women and families was the “first priority” which unfortunately meant that in some circumstances there was no accommodation for male international protection applicants, she told Newstalk Breakfast.