Protest outside apartment block in County Roscommon amid rumours of use as refugee accommodation

A protest has been held overnight outside an apartment block in County Roscommon amid rumours that the property is to be used as refugee accommodation.

A crowd gathered outside Riverwalk apartments in Castlerea last night amid speculation the property will house asylum-seekers or refugees.

The building has recently underwent renovations and local Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said it is thought the accommodation may house approximately 52 people in 13 apartments.

A group ‘Ballina says No’ has been established to oppose the use of the accommodation and a small crowd gathered last night for a protest.

A further protest is planned for tonight, Tuesday at 6pm.

Local political representatives have voiced their concerns over the lack of communication about the proposal and they say a response from officials has not been forthcoming.

Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice said he has been in touch with International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) but received no confirmation that the apartments are to be used as an IPAs centres.

In a statement, Cllr Fitzmaurice said, “I have been in contacts numerous times with the housing department in Roscommon County Council and they informed me that accommodation for international protection applicants is carried out by IPAS and not by Roscommon County Council.

“I asked the director of services to contact IPAS to see if they could clarify if people were to be accommodated in this complex by IPAS,

“To date and after numerous contacts with IPAS, they have given no information to confirm it would be an IPAS Centre.

“With work being carried out, clarity around the accommodation should be given to all including Oireachtas Members and Roscommon County Council elected members,” said Cllr Fitzmaurice.

He said the speculation has brought fear and confusion for the people who live in Castlerea and added it is his view that this is unacceptable for a number of reasons.

“Firstly, there are many local people who are looking for accommodation and these apartments should be offered to local people first and then Families.

“Secondly, bringing in a large number of people and concentrating them in a small area as a group in a small town, if it is single males, I believe may cause problems and may bring a fear factor.

“We have many Ukrainian and other families who live in Castlerea and they have been made welcome.

"We have people from many countries living and working in Castlerea and they contribute greatly to our local society.

“I do believe everyone should get accommodation of some sort but this should be in large towns or cities with full services and migrants should be processed quickly as to whether they can stay in the country .

“I think Castlerea is not the right place for this style of accommodation due to a housing shortage and it being a small town with limited services.

“I will contact Oireachtas members, Roscommon County Council and IPAS again today and as soon as I get a reply I will let people know,” said Cllr Fitzmaurice.

Claire Kerrane TD for Roscommon and Galway said she has received a number of queries from people in Castlerea asking about activity at Riverwalk.

"I have made contact with the Department and as always, as soon as I have information I will share it upfront and publicly.”

The TD also sent a letter to the Department hitting out at the lack of communication between the Department and elected representatives.

The letter read, “Should this be the case, it is unacceptable that elected representatives have no information and we are now getting queries from Constituents with genuine concerns and I am put in a position where I cannot answer them truthfully and correctly."

The Department of Integration has not responded at the time of publication.

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