Irish Daily Mirror

Leo: Protest violence is against the spirit & values of our nation

Taoiseach slams nasty scuffles at hotel used to house asylum seekers

- BY LOUISE BURNE Political Corresonde­nt news@ irishmirro­r.ie

LEO Varadkar has said a bid to stop asylum seekers from entering accommodat­ion centres was “antidemocr­atic” and “anti-freedom”.

He also confirmed that ministers have been asked to examine what other supports can be given to the 10 locations in Ireland with the highest number of asylum seekers and refugees.

Demonstrat­ors have been gathered outside the Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, since last Thursday to protest the use of the hotel for up to 160 people.

Scuffles broke out between gardai and some protesters on Monday as 17 asylum seekers were moved into the hotel.

Gardai from the Public Order Unit were at the scene and one man was arrested.

Videos showed officers linking to allow asylum seekers, who were mostly women and children, to pass through the protesters.

Speaking on his way into yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach said he

was “very disappoint­ed”. He added: “Ireland is a Republic, we’re a democracy, we’re a free country.

“In a Republic, in a democracy and a free country, people have the right to protest. They have the right to hold views that other people may find objectiona­ble.

“However, nobody has the right to engage in violence against other individual­s, to damage property or to prevent people getting to their home or getting to their work.

“That’s anti-democratic. That’s anti-freedom. That’s against the spirit and the values of our nation. So [I] really want to say that about what we saw.”

Mr Varadkar said he does understand how people in Roscrea feel and only a “small minority”, some of whom were not from the area, were involved in the altercatio­n with gardai.

He also confirmed additional supports will be provided for the 10 districts in Ireland that are accommodat­ing a high number of asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees. It was suggested last night that the Government had “agreed in principle” to examine the purchase of the disused hotel in Roscrea, to be used as a community hotel.

A spokesman for Integratio­n Minister Roderic O’gorman did not respond to queries last night. Earlier the minister told RTE’S Morning Ireland that some of the children who were entering the Racket Hall Hotel were

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

“But I also think that people can do that in a way that doesn’t impact on vulnerable people and, particular­ly, that doesn’t block vulnerable people from being able to access their accommodat­ion. I don’t think it’s ever acceptable to block people’s access to the place that they’re staying.”

Elsewhere, Roscrea councillor Shane Lee accused gardai of being “heavy-handed” and going a “step too far”. He said: “The people that have been up there since last Thursday are genuine families in this town with absolutely no agenda other than the community at their heart.

“What took place [on Monday] to me was very, very heavy-handed

and there is no need for that.”

Nobody has the right to engage in violence against others

LEO VARADKAR YESTERDAY, RIGHT

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 ?? ?? UNREST Protesters clash with gardai in Roscrea, Co Tipperary
SCENE Protesters outside the hotel
UNREST Protesters clash with gardai in Roscrea, Co Tipperary SCENE Protesters outside the hotel

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