Protest planned for Columb Barracks tomorrow evening

A protest is planned for outside Columb Barracks tomorrow evening, Thursday, at 7pm.

It was confirmed earlier this week that the barracks in Mullingar is under consideration for the accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers.

It is understood that Middleton Park House is also under consideration.

The group organising the protest have stressed that it will be "peaceful protest" in a bid to get answers as to how many people will be housed in the barracks.

"We are planning a protest in front of Columb Barracks tomorrow evening," said a concerned parent who contacted the Westmeath Examiner.

"We are looking for answers. We've emailed all of our sitting TDs and councillors and none of them will give us any answers.

"Tensions are rising. We've seen what's happening in Kinnegad, RTÉ's Prime Time programme did a feature on Kinnegad last week, and we've seen what's happening in City West.

"Is that what's going to happen in Mullingar?

"The number of undocumented males flooding into this country is extremely worrying - and we want answers. How many will be housed in Mullingar?

"We want answers as to how so many undocumented males are being allowed into this country, and where the loophole in the law is that is allowing this to happen.

"We know there are emigrants, we know there are refugees - that is not the problem.

"They will be housed in the barracks were so many kids go to partake in different clubs and activities - what's going to happen now?"