Kenneth Fox
Families will be offered shelter at a Carlow premises, after the Government axed its plans to house single male asylum seekers in a rural setting for the second time in a week.
On Wednesday night it was confirmed the Government had u-turned on plans to house 50 men at a premise in Carlow town saying instead families would be offered shelter there.
As the Irish Examiner reports, the move largely nullified planned protests at the building but there was still a number of protestors at the site yesterday evening.
They had started gathering outside the former Capuchin Friary building on Dublin St in the town on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, local representatives and TDs in Carlow had criticised the Government for its lack of communication on moving the 50 asylum seekers into the 15-room premises.
The u-turn came less than 24 hours after local TDs were told the men would be housed there, and just days after a protest in Mayo also saw the Department of Integration agree to offer accommodation to families and not males following protests outside a premises in Ballinrobe.
Migrant rights groups said the Government must show leadership and fulfil its obligations to house asylum seekers at a time when there are currently over 500 people not in receipt of State-provided shelter.
They said the State must urgently source accommodation for single people as well as families arriving here.
“Research has shown time and time again that immigration does not lead to an increase in criminal activity,” said Nasc chief executive Fiona Hurley. “False narratives around this only serve to divide communities and isolate people who are seeking protection.”
Doras chief executive John Lannon said the latest climbdown highlights the need “once again” for proper planning from Government.
“The Government are in breach of their [EU] obligations and have to find a solution,” he said.
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