Child asylum seekers ‘upset’ at clashes outside Roscrea hotel, minister says

Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman has said child asylum seekers were “upset” at scenes of protesters clashing with gardai as they were moved into an accommodation centre in Co Tipperary.

Scuffles broke out at the Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea on Monday as protesters gathered while asylum seekers were being taken into the premises.

Demonstrators have been gathered outside the property since Thursday after news broke that the hotel was to be used to house asylum seekers.

Gardai, including members of the public order unit, formed a cordon at the entrance to the site while the international protection applicants were bussed to the hotel.

A man was arrested during the incident.

The building is to provide accommodation for around 160 applicants as the State struggles to house refugees,

Mr O’Gorman said the site would be used for families and single women.

The minister said women and children being accommodated at the hotel on Monday witnessed the clashes.

He said: “My understanding is, from talking to my officials, that they’re settling in but it was a difficult enough experience, children were upset at seeing the scuffles, experiencing the violent tension as they arrived.”

He said he respected the right to protest but added that people could express themselves in a way that “doesn’t impact on vulnerable people”.

Mr O’Gorman said: “I don’t think it is ever acceptable to block people’s access to the place that they’re staying.”

Speaking to RTE radio, he said some locals are motivated by concerns about the town’s resources and that his department would be meeting local representatives to see how the region could be supported.

However, he added: “I think we also recognise there are people who are travelling around the country – far-right activists – who are looking to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment.”

Mr O’Gorman said he does not currently have plans to visit Roscrea personally.

The minister said he was bringing proposals to Cabinet that are “more planned, more structured and more resourced”.

He said this would involve building large reception centres, noting that continuing to use properties like Racket Hall was “unsustainable”.

Mr O’Gorman did not provide a figure for how many centres would be needed.

He said the Government was working on a robust communication campaign to tackle what he described as substantial “myths” about immigration.