Protest held in Tipperary against asylum seeker hotel accommodation

A protest was held at a hotel in Roscrea on Thursday night after news broke that 160 international asylum seekers will be accommodated at the premises.

It was revealed on Thursday that Roscrea's only operating hotel, the Rackett Hall Country Club and Hotel, will accommodate asylum seekers in approximately 40 of its rooms.

The decision was confirmed by Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD, Jackie Cahill, after what he described as "a lengthy phone call" with Minister for Integration, Roderic O'Gorman.

News of the decision quickly spread on social media and protestors have called for support at their demonstration which began at 7:30pm on Thursday night. 

Roscrea saw similar protests last year after it was revealed the former Sacred Heart Convent building was to be repurposed to provide emergency accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Roscrea has another facility providing accommodation for international protection applicants in Corville House at the former Sean Ross Abbey site.

Local Fine Gael councillor Noel Coonan said he does not oppose asylum seekers being housed in Roscrea, but said there "is only so much a community can take.

"Roscrea has a number of other applicants already at the moment, they've been welcomed and there is a community out there who was trying to help but there's only so much a community can do," he said, speaking on Morning Ireland on Friday morning.

"There's only so much communities can take without additional services and supports being put into the area.

"There are legitimate concerns in relation to fears amongst the community, those are not being addressed," Cllr Coonan continued.

Derek Russell, founder of local activist movement Roscrea Strands Up,said that he shares the immediate sense of concern felt by many in Roscrea.

"Speaking for myself I feel that Roscrea, a town of approximately 6,000 people, has more than done more than its fair share already in terms of helping people seeking asylum.

"The lack of resources in the town is a major concern and the loss of accommodation in our only hotel is a serious blow to the town", Mr. Russell said.

Roscrea Stands Up held a public meeting in November which saw many local people express concerns about the sudden influx of asylum seekers in Roscrea.