Opposition grows in Mayo town to plan to house asylum seekers in local hotel
Opposition is growing to plans by the Department of Integration to utilise the Twin Trees Hotel, formerly the Downhill Hote, in Ballina as a centre for international protection applicants.
Local residents have staged a blockage at the site and a second peaceful protest took place last night, three days after a similar rally.
Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary slated the plans, stating the site is 'unsuitable,' while Councillor Annie May Reape said that 'Ballina has taken in more than its fair share'.
Local people opposed to the plan gathered last Friday to voice their concerns in the aftermath of the announcement that 120 international protection applicants will be accommodated at the property.
Stated Declan Howley: "We all have to stand together and not accept this."
Marie Greham said: "This is about people power. It's the only way to stop it."
Independent Councillor Mark Duffy expressed his outrage at the department over the late notice that was received; an email on Friday last was the first they were notified.
"The profiteering on the back of asylum seekers must come to an end," Councillor Duffy added.
Social media groups formed weeks ago as rumours grew once it was believed new owners had taken over the former Downhill House Hotel after the Moylette family sold the facility.
A Facebook page titled 'Concerned Citizens of Ballina' has grown to over a thousand members, with anger arising over the imminent arrival of refugees and asylum seekers.
The page aims to exercise public demonstrations, and its administrators have asked members to stop using fire emojis under posts, as 'it will give a bad image'.
Gardaí are on regular patrols of the area, and the local fire brigade has been made aware of the potential for an arson attack in light of similar hotels and IPAS facilities being targeted.
Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh confirmed she received notice also on Friday, along with the other elected representatives, and said she has been in touch with the department to find out a needs assessment for what she has been told is women and children.
Figures disclosed to The Connaught Telegraph from Mayo County Council show that Ballina currently hosts 65 IPAS residents in one site that is not a hotel.
Local Fine Gael candidate Hugh Rouse published a video on social media describing himself as a 'concerned citizen' of Ballina and that he was speaking not as a voice of division but of unity and strength.
He continued by saying, 'In our town of Ballina, 75% of tourism accommodation is impacted by IPAS.'
Fine Gael Deputy Michael Ring berated social media companies for allowing people to publish 'uncontrolled lies' online with no repercussions. He noted that newspapers have strict controls, but the spread of online misinformation goes unchecked.
“I hope Simon Harris will listen to me because Leo didn’t, and he goes and does something with the big tech firms,” he stated at the FG local election candidates launch.