Asylum seekers must move to new centre

A CENTRE for asylum seekers applying for residency in Ireland, An Poc Fada in Cobh, Co Cork, is to close its doors next week.

The Reception and Integration Agency informed the residents they are to be moved en masse to Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.

A number of them have resided in Poc Fada for over a year. They have formed relationships with people in the wider Cork area. Some act as volunteer workers in the many charity shops in the city. Others have assisted me to open a dialogue with young people on the topic of immigration and its impact on the lives of the host country.