Child asylum-seekers 'upset' by clashes outside Racket Hall, says O'Gorman

Minister says he respects the right to protest but added people could express themselves in a way that 'doesn't impact on vulnerable people'

Protesters at the Racket Hall hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary demonstrating over plans to house asylum-seeker family applicants in the hotel.

Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman said child asylum seekers were "upset" at scenes of protesters clashing with gardaí as they were moved into an accommodation centre in Co Tipperary.

Scuffles broke out at the Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea on Monday as protesters gathered while asylum-seekers were being taken into the premises.

Demonstrators have been gathered outside the property since Thursday, after news broke the hotel was to be used to house asylum-seekers.

Gardaí, including members of the public order unit, formed a cordon at the entrance to the site while the international protection applicants were bussed to the hotel.

A man was arrested during the incident.

The building is to provide accommodation for about 160 applicants as the State struggles to house refugees, Mr O'Gorman said the site would be used for families and single women.

The minister said women and children being accommodated at the hotel on Monday witnessed the clashes.

He said: "My understanding is, from talking to my officials, that they're settling in but it was a difficult enough experience, children were upset at seeing the scuffles, experiencing the violent tension as they arrived."

He said he respected the right to protest but added people could express themselves in a way that "doesn't impact on vulnerable people".

"I don't think it is ever acceptable to block people's access to the place that they're staying."

Speaking to RTÉ radio, he said some locals were motivated by concerns about the town's resources and that his department would be meeting local representatives to see how the region could be supported.

However, he added: "I think we also recognise there are people who are travelling around the country — far-right activists — who are looking to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment."

Mr O'Gorman said he did not currently have plans to visit Roscrea.

The minister said he was bringing proposals to Cabinet that were "more planned, more structured and more resourced".

He said this would involve building large reception centres, noting continuing to use properties like Racket Hall was "unsustainable".

Mr O'Gorman did not provide a figure for how many centres would be needed.

He said the Government was working on a robust communication campaign to tackle what he described as substantial "myths" about immigration.

Roderic O'Gorman: 'I think we also recognise there are people who are travelling around the country — far-right activists — who are looking to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment.' Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Meanwhile, Roscrea councillor Shane Lee has accused the Garda public order unit involved in skirmishes at Racket Hall on Monday of being “very heavy handed” and their actions had been “a step too far.”

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Cllr Lee said local gardaí had been interacting with protesters since last Thursday. These were people “who had never protested a day in their lives”.

“What took place yesterday for me was very, very heavy handed.” Cllr Lee said there should have been communication between the Department of Integration and the local community. The people of the town were welcoming, but the services were not there to back up the numbers that were coming.

The minister should come to Roscrea and see the situation for himself, he urged.

When asked if he agreed with signs in the town that said “Roscrea is Full”, Cllr Lee pointed out that between 320 and 400 Ukrainian people were accommodated in Convent Hill and international protection applicants were housed in Séan Ross Abbey.

“So it's not as if this is the first rodeo in town. In fairness, the town is playing its part. And that's the message that has been made very, very clear to me.” 

The people of Roscrea were caring and had been very welcoming to the people who had already arrived in the town and were being integrated into the community, he said.

Signs at the Roscrea Protest. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Community activist Derek Russell echoed the sentiment about the lack of consultation with the local community. “There's no interaction. And I can see how people can get angered when they just get pushed to one side rather than a small bit of cooperation between both sides.” 

The system for dealing with refugees was wrong and badly thought out, he said. 

“The way the Government are managing this particular situation is if you are a manager in a company, you'd be fired for the way the business has been done.” 

Cllr Lee added ultimately it was down to money, a price was being put on the heads of refugees. Business people were looking to make money and that was what had happened with the owners of the Racket Hall Hotel.

“And that's exactly what this is down to. This is down to money. That's down to nothing else. There's absolutely has been no loyalty here to the people of Roscrea by the business owners of the Racket Hall Hotel. The people of the town have kept that hotel going for many, many, many, many years.

“The whole point here is everyone's talking about what's coming to town. But let's remember why we're here, from the outset of all of this removing an amenity and a service. The heart of any community that's in any town is a hotel. And what the Government is doing now to remove that from the people of Roscrea. And that's what's creating the anger, and that's what's at the heart of this," he said.

I'm calling on the minister to come and meet the people of Roscrea and explain exactly what he's doing. There's no point hiding behind media, that’s not acceptable.”