First residents move into new Athlone asylum seeker centre

The first 92 residents of the new temporary accommodation for asylum seekers at Lissywollen, Athlone, arrived at the site last week, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The controversial accommodation centre is the subject of a High Court challenge being taken by five Athlone councillors on environmental grounds. A hearing of their court action is scheduled for Thursday next, December 19.

In response to a query from the Westmeath Independent this week, the Department confirmed the use of the new accommodation had commenced on Wednesday last, December 4.

The spokesperson also referred to a "disturbance" at the new facility last weekend, saying a number of "unauthorised persons" had entered the property on Sunday, and that a member of the onsite security team had been injured.

The development of the facility was first announced by the Department in early October, with site works commencing the following morning. The new residents are due to arrive on a phased basis, with the site scheduled to accommodate 1,000 male asylum seekers, formally known as international protection applicants, in total.

"The Department has begun operating an accommodation centre for people seeking International Protection at Lissywollen, Athlone," its spokesperson said on Monday. "The safety and wellbeing of people staying in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres is our priority.

"There are ongoing legal proceedings in relation to this site, and the Department notes the decision by the High Court to schedule a hearing in relation to planning matters on December 19.

"While the Department is respectful of this process, we are also extremely concerned about the welfare of people to whom we have a legal duty of care.

"Finding accommodation for people seeking international protection has become ever more urgent due to the acute shortage of space and ongoing numbers of applications."

The spokesperson went on to say that, "temporary accommodation sites, such as this site in Athlone, are an essential component of the Government's strategy to provide basic accommodation" to international protection applicants.

Outlining incidents at the site last weekend, the Department said: "On Sunday, December 8, a number of unauthorised people entered Midlands Accommodation Centre in Athlone.

"During the disturbance, a member of the onsite security team was injured. There were no injuries to residents of the centre. An Garda Síochána is responsible for operational policing matters and is responsible for investigating any alleged acts of criminality or intimidation."

It was added that damage had been caused to one of the site's electrical blocks on Sunday, and that this resulted in a temporary power outage.

"The damage has since been repaired and power has been restored," said the spokesperson. "The Department will continue to use Midlands Accommodation Centre to provide much-needed shelter to people seeking international protection.

"Accommodation at Midlands Accommodation Centre will be provided in phases. Over several phases, it will increase gradually to accommodate up to 1,000 residents. Accommodation will initially be provided in tented structures, with modular accommodation to follow at a later stage."

As of this morning (Tuesday), a GoFundMe page to help pay the costs of the Athlone councillors' legal action in relation to the centre had raised €48,530 through 929 donations from individuals and local businesses.

Meanwhile, a group called Athlone For All, has issued a statement today, calling for the people of the town to all stand together to improve the town for the benefit of everyone, without exception.

Athlone For All said: "Most people in Athlone believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and cared for in our town, whether we have lived here all our lives or come here seeking safety. All of us deserve a safe, warm home, care when we’re sick and a community that supports and uplifts us."

It said it "only a small minority of people from the area" are taking part in what it described as "abuse directed towards people seeking asylum in Lissywollen".

It said groups from outside Athlone were involved in this online.

"Social media has allowed lies and vicious rumours to spread, making us all less safe and leading people to believe misinformation.

"There are many issues we need to fix in Athlone; we need to build more homes, invest in our schools and youth clubs, expand our mental health and GP services. But these fringe, hateful groups offer nothing to improve the lives of people in Athlone and instead offer only hatred, division and fear. We are a collection of people committed to fighting for better conditions for all of the people of Athlone. It is only by all of us standing together that we can improve our town.

"We all deserve an Athlone where we have what we need to build a decent life - no exceptions," the statement concluded.