Asylum seekers moved into former Cork B&B as protests to continue

Local activist asks that any future protests happen away from Abbeyville House in Fermoy 'as this is now a home for children'

Protest placards at Abbeyville House in Fermoy today. Picture: Larry Cummins

A group of 52 asylum seekers has taken up residence at a former B&B in Fermoy, Co Cork, which has been the scene of an anti-migrant protest since late last year.

The group, which is made up entirely of families, was bussed to Abbeyville House in the town at approximately 2pm today and driven through the back entrance of the property.  

A small crowd of about 20 people had gathered outside the Tudor-style building to protest after news of the arrival broke on social media. Gardaí had been maintaining a heavy presence in the town and sealed off the front entrance to the property just before the buses arrived.

Protesters have been camped by the main gate of the former guesthouse for the past 18 weeks, since news emerged that it was to house international protection applicants. They say they will continue with their protest. Abbeyville House has not operated as a B&B for a number of years.

Kate O’Connell, Fermoy resident and member of the group Fermoy and Mallow Against Division, said: “It is important people realise that there is a big integration plan in place.

“Primary and secondary school places have been sourced in Fermoy and Mitchelstown and Doneraile, as well as GP places, money raised, and clothes and toys have been collected.

“We have been working very closely with Tusla and there is a good plan in place. However, what concerns us most is what happens over the next few days," she said.

“We understand people might want to engage in a protest but we are really asking that that protest happens away from Abbeyville House, because this is now a home for children.

We are also concerned that people coming to and from Abbeyville House should be allowed to go about their business without fear of intimidation or being recorded.

“We would please ask anybody who wants to protest could they please think also about protecting children.” 

Initially, the plan was for Abbeyville to house adult male international protection applicants at what is now one of more than 200 accommodation venues opened since January 2022 across 26 counties.

However, in February, the Department of Integration announced it would instead provide temporary accommodation for families and children.

A spokesperson said: “While initially earmarked for adult males, there is now an acute shortage of accommodation for families and it is intended to place families and children into this property.” 

Some of the protesters opposed to the historic premises being used to house international protection applicants claim they are protecting the building, which is a listed structure. Others say the services in the town such as GPs and schools are already overstretched.