Gardai & protesters scuffle at asylum hotel stand-off
Cops protecting site arrest man
GARDAI were protecting the Roscrea asylum centre last night after officers were involved in scuffles with protesters during a tense stand-off.
Dozens of officers, including members from the riot squad, took part in a midday operation to escort 17 asylum seekers into the town’s Racket
Hall – and came up against up to 200 protesters.
Officers were seen scuffling with some of the protesters as a minibus containing asylum seekers was driven into the hotel.
One man was arrested during the confrontation on suspicion of committing a public order offence but was later released without charge.
Gardai said a file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
There were no injuries and the public order unit at the scene did not wear helmets or body armour. Objectors have been mounting a vigil at the site since it emerged last week that the Government was planning to house up to 160 asylum seekers. It had been earmarked for the asylum seekers to be transferred last Friday – but protests led to it being put back.
The crowd kept a presence at the site all weekend – but gardai mounted a major operation to get 17 of the asylum seekers into the hotel.
Images from the scene showed garda vans carrying the public order unit escorting the bus into the hotel around midday.
And videos also revealed gardai scuffling with protesters who vented their fury at the decision. Politicians, including Independent TDS Michael Lowry and Mattie Mcgrath and Martin Browne of Sinn Fein, addressed a rally at the site on Sunday.
Fianna Fail councillor Michael Smith has expressed concern about job losses as a result of the hotel’s change of use.
Condemning the treatment of staff, Cllr Smith told RTE it was “quite shocking”.
He added: “That’s very difficult for families at any time of the year. It leaves a lot to be desired.”
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth yesterday said the State was facing an urgent situation over the housing of asylum seekers.
Gardai last night confirmed one man had been arrested at the scene.
A spokesman added: “Officers put in place an operation at an International Protection Accommodation Centre in Roscrea.
“A Garda presence remains at the IPAS centre at this time.”
The area was quiet last night but gardai and protesters were still at the scene.