People living in tents next to building for international applicants in Dublin

A mixture of non-nationals and one Irish person are currently living in the tents in East Wall. Picture: Moya Nolan

Up to five tents have sprung up in a park next to an old ESB building used to house international applicants in Dublin’s north inner city.

A mixture of non-nationals and one Irish person are currently living in the tents in East Wall, which are within walking distance from the centre for asylum seekers where anti-immigration protestors held demonstrations for more than a year. The protests have since ceased.

It comes as the latest figures show there are three official tented centres for asylum seekers in the country which house 346 people, none of whom are children.

However, unofficial tented areas are now being erected in East Wall and Clontarf alongside members of the homeless community there.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, one man named David, who is living in a tent alongside the asylum seekers in East Wall, said he has been homeless for the past 10 years.

“I broke up with my wife 14 years ago and became homeless four years later” he said. 

"I’m not on the (housing) list, because there is a house already involved. I drank too much, I’m off it four years, I lost my kids but got them back. A marriage break-up is a big thing. I’m here most of the time, in this spot, I’m not near the Clontarf area where there are more tents.

“There are non-nationals who moved into this park recently, they are the people coming over here and discovering there is no accommodation, they moved in the last few days. They are quiet but we have had some conversations.

“They are Iranian and Afghan. They keep themselves to themselves. It is quiet here. I am 58 and I am okay here, you get used to it. I’ve no job. I’m just waiting to see if I’ll get somewhere but I expect more asylum seekers will be pitching their tents here because it’s a nice area.” 

The Government has said it is under pressure to find accommodation for people seeking international protection here.

Figures from January 7 show there are 262 IPAS Accommodation units in the country, housing 26,473 people including 5,758 children.

The arrivals of asylum seekers into some areas are continuing to result in protests.

A rally is continuing in Roscrea in Co Tipperary following the arrival of 17 asylum seekers to Racket Hall Hotel on the outskirts of the town. Violent scenes broke out on Monday between gardaí and protestors when a bus carrying men, women and children moved in. No new clients have arrived at the centre since.

A march is planned for Saturday in Roscrea. However, no details have been confirmed so far. Meanwhile the East Wall Committee has organised a march to take place in Dublin on February 5 starting at the Garden of Remembrance at 2pm.