Varadkar will 'give consideration' to possibility of meeting with Clare protesters

Leo Varadkar said he agreed the blockade should end, but that “these things need to be handled sensitively”. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will “give consideration” to the possibility of visiting Inch, Co. Clare, to meet with local residents to hear their concerns about the accommodating of international protection applicants in Magowna House Hotel.

It comes as Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman on Wednesday indicated he will not travel to meet the protesters and insisted the hotel will be used to accommodate refugees. Mr Varadkar told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne that he agreed the blockade should end, but that “these things need to be handled sensitively”.