Group Protesting Outside Dundrum House Hotel To Continue 24 Hour Presence

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Photo Credit: Google Maps

The group protesting at the gates of Dundrum House Hotel in west Tipperary say they will continue with a 24 hour presence at the site.

The protest first began in May 2024 after the Government announced plans to create an IPAS accommodation centre at the facility.

Approximately 70 women and children asylum seekers were moved to the centre in August of last year. On January 10th Ukrainian refugees at the centre were informed that they will not be accommodated  in Dundrum past February 7th and will be offered alternative accommodation in the county.

Over 40 refugees from Ukraine are currently accommodated at the facility.

The protest  group are hoping that the Department of Integration will not accept the offer of the premises as solely an IPAS centre.

The Department last year confirmed that it considers the facility could accommodate 277 persons and is facing a severe shortage of accommodation for asylum seekers.

The protest group have raised a range of issues with officials from the Department of Integration about the suitability of the location, the facility and the current legal case regarding the actual beneficial ownership of the property.

The group also feel that 277 asylum seekers in a village of 221 would overwhelm local services and want the complex to remain as social, recreation and tourism venues.