Department moves Kerry Ipas residents over 250km away due to ant infestation

The relocation is planned to be a short-term move 'while essential maintenance is carried out,' the Department of Justice said

The relocation of residents from the 90-bed Atlas House accommodation centre on the edge of Killarney town took place on Monday. File picture: asylumarchive.com

More than 80 residents of an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre in Killarney, Co Kerry, have been moved over 250km away to Athlone, Co Westmeath, at short notice.

It comes after a pest infestation forced the evacuation of the facility.

The relocation of residents from the 90-bed Atlas House accommodation centre on the edge of Killarney town took place on Monday.

The centre houses families, single men and women, and children. Sources said some residents were only informed of the move on Sunday, with a number employed in local hospitality businesses.

The issue is understood to involve an ant infestation. Buses transported the majority of residents, many of them women and children, to accommodation in Athlone.

Around 20% of the residents have subsidiary protection status, while some had previously been asked to leave the centre and secure private accommodation, according to the most recent Hiqa inspection report.

The Hiqa inspection in January found there were cramped conditions in the 37-bedroom building, which is State-owned and managed by a private contractor.

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The inspection found that previous issues had been addressed, including the replacement of beds and bedding. The centre remained non-compliant with regard to laundry facilities and cleanliness in the laundry area.

The Department of Justice confirmed the residents were being “temporarily moved” from an Ipas accommodation centre in Killarney.

The relocation is planned to be a short-term move “while essential maintenance is carried out”, it said.

The department stated: “Ipas and centre management regret the inconvenience to residents, but have to respond quickly when any issues arise that impact the health and wellbeing of residents.

"Residents have been temporarily moved while essential maintenance is carried out. We are working to minimise any disruption to residents and to ensure they will be able to return to their accommodation in Killarney as soon as possible.” 

The department said it appreciates that this is very disruptive for people, especially at short notice, but it is unavoidable. It said it is providing supports and information to them.