Dublin's homeless refugees forced into tents next to €1.6m apartments
Homeless asylum seekers with friends & supporters during a protest at the Dáil over what they say is “discrimination and racism” against them on Kildare Street, Dublin Picture: Gareth Chaney
It is one of Europe’s most expensive real estate business locations, however, Dublin’s Mount Street on the city's south side has also recently become an unofficial tent city for homeless asylum seekers.
Directly across the road from the offices of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) one apartment for sale has a guide price of €1,600,000.
While a prime office block nearby has a for sale tag of €37.5m
Therefore, it is understandable that passersby could be seen stopping to take a second look at the tents that have sprung up along the footpath just a few yards away.
There are up to 100 people from different countries living rough and due to a housing shortage, they have pitched tents in the alleyway leading up to the front door of the IPAS.
“We feel safe enough here” said, Sami Kupiszewski from Turkey who arrived in Ireland three years ago and has no accommodation.
“It doesn’t stop people throwing abuse but still if you are near these offices, its a bit safer”.
The line of tents has grown so fast in the past few weeks that it now stretches down around the corner onto Grattan Court East.
Outside their tents, the occupants have written messages in chalk saying, “This is my front door, please do not open”.
Banners have also been erected which say “Stop normalising institutional racism.” And, “We are human”.
Latest figures from the Department of Integration updated on Tuesday, show there are now 970 asylum seekers here without accommodation.
The tents on Mount Street are all full of single males, who are seeking asylum in Ireland.
Some are washing outside their front door onto the street, while others are sitting outside on makeshift chairs.
One volunteer Ailbhe who doesn’t wish to give her surname, said she felt compelled to get involved with a group of others, to support the men.
“There is no dignity for them” she told the . “We are providing sleeping bags, clothes, shoes and hot meals, me and a few others. We are trying to advocate on their behalf.
“We have been checking in on them and there are at least 100 people there. The conditions are appalling, and one man put it into perspective when he said, ‘at least I’m not being chased down the road by someone with a machete."
In the offices overhead, workers could be seen coming to the windows and taking photos.
Sami Kupiszewski highlighted his issues by holding a small protest with others at the Dáil on Tuesday.
“Nobody cares about us" he said. "We are tired of it. People are angry. This is no way to live".
Pointing to the line of tents on the street, he said: “This is just the tip of the iceberg. It is an injustice."
