'Cowardly AI-generated' false news about Cork asylum seeker centre condemned

It has taken the form of digitally altered council documents circulated around northside WhatsApp groups around people seeking asylum

Cork City North East Labour Party councillor John Maher pointed out that it is not local authorities which designate International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres, but rather it is 'a function of Government departments [which] engage with owners of properties'.

A Cork City councillor has denounced as “cowardly and despicable” what he says is an AI poison pen campaign targeting him and a named public official.

That campaign has taken the form of digitally altered council documents circulated around northside WhatsApp groups and making false claims around people seeking asylum.

The altered documents purport to show a proposal that the council seek planning permission to develop a disused commercial premises as an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre.

The old Keating’s Fitted Furniture building on Ballyvolane’s Ballyhooly Road has been idle for quarter of a century, and, at the January meeting of Cork City Council, a proposal was made that the council compulsorily purchase the property.

John Maher, Labour Party city councillor for the north-east ward, proposed that the council buy the building and develop it as “a shared space for business, community and residential” use.

Responding, Niall Ó Donobháin, Cork City Council director of services for planning and integrated development, said the council had engaged with the selling agent and consideration was being given to the “potential use for the entirety of the lands on which the property is constructed”.

That consideration, Mr Ó Donobháin said, would include input from the directors of service at the council’s housing directorate and its community and corporate affairs directorate, and would ultimately determine the council’s level of interest in purchasing the property.

However, doctored versions of Mr Maher’s motion and Mr Ó Donobháin’s response were circulated in recent days across WhatsApp groups in the Ballyvolane and Mayfield areas.

The altered motion reads: “That Cork City Council seeks planning permission to develop the old Keating’s Fitted Furniture building on Ballyhooly Rd as an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre for the accommodation of asylum seekers and refugees. (Proposer: Cllr. John Maher.)” 

The altered response claims that the council’s planning department “has engaged with the relevant authorities regarding the potential development of the above referenced property as an IPAS centre”.

'AI-generated false news'

Mr Maher told the Irish Examiner the campaign was “cowardly and despicable AI-generated false news that doesn’t help one person in our community or city”.

He pointed out that it is not local authorities which designate IPAS centres, but rather it is “a function of Government departments [which] engage with owners of properties”.

“It is disgusting to me that as a result of hitting a public rep that a professional staff member would be made a target,” he said.

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“My motion was to deliver housing, a community facility and/or a local café at an entrance to the jewel in the crown of the north-east, the Glen River Park.” 

A spokesperson said Cork City Council was aware of “inaccurate and misleading information” recently circulated online in relation to the former Keating’s site.

They added that the council is currently determining its interest in the site, saying it would provide an update in due course.