Residents in legal battle to shut asylum centre in Cahirciveen

RESIDENTS in Co. Kerry are gearing up for a legal battle to shut down a controversial direct provision centre which is at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak.

In March, 105 asylum seekers were sent to the former Skellig Star Hotel in Cahirciveen in a bid to protect them from the spread of Covid-19. However, up to 25 inhabitants have tested positive so far, including three staff members.

Amidst local opposition, Ciaran Quinlan of Renard, Cahirciveen has instructed solicitor Padraig O’Connell to proceed to take an injunction against the operator of the centre.

‘For the moment, I’m the only person involved, but further developments are expected to be made very soon,’ said Mr Quinlan. ‘It’s shocking to see what the Government has done to these asylum seekers, which is why they need all the help they can get.’

The Irish Daily Mail has learned that other members of the community, including business owners, are also backing an action to pursue this matter to the courts.

‘Numerous people are eager to be involved in this,’ Mr O’Connell said from his legal office in Killarney. ‘Our instructions are to proceed and seek an injunction in order to prevent the continuing use of the premises. We’re currently putting our papers together on this matter and hopefully an application will be made to the Circuit Court at the earliest opportunity.’

It’s understood several residents of Cahirciveen will meet today to discuss who else should be involved in the legal dispute. There are now just under 70 residents at the Skellig Star Hotel left, some of whom are still sharing rooms with non-family members, while some 30 residents have now been moved to other centres nationwide.

The 56-bedroom accommodation is owned by developer and director of Remcoll Capital, Paul Collins.

Mr Collins also runs three other direct provision centres in Ireland. The Irish Daily Mail made attempts to call Mr Collins at his Remcoll Capital office in Dublin last night, but no response was received at the time of going to press.

The Dáil also heard demands that the former hotel should closed.

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith said that the asylum seekers were sent to Kerry in a bus when the direct provision centre they came from in Dublin had Covid-19 cases.

But Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan insisted: ‘We didn’t have any knowledge of the health condition in respect of Covid of anybody being transferred to Cahirciveen or any other areas. It was only after their arrival that this news came to light.’

‘There has been ongoing discussions between the department and the owners of the hotel about the suitability of these premises,’ he said, adding that ‘every effort is being made to ensure residents have every support’.

Mr Flanagan said everyone who tested positive was sent to an isolation centre elsewhere ‘very quickly’.

‘There is no one in the Skellig Star who is now positive,’ he said. ‘There are 69 residents including children and

‘I’m asking you to close it down’

special efforts are being to improve conditions for children.’

Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae said those who tested positive for the virus had been out in the town ‘for many days’ and locals are now worried about their own health. ‘It’s very clear that the refugees want to leave Cahirciveen. It’s very clear that the people of Cahirciveen want the centre closed down now,’ he said. ‘I’m asking you now, Minister... to close it down.’

Mr Flanagan said the Department of Justice will continue to work with management, local stakeholders and the HSE ‘to ensure that every possible support continues to be given to the residents in Cahiciveen and other centres during the pandemic’.