Peace talks in Ballinamore as work on direct provision centre postponed
THE Department of Justice has postponed work at a proposed direct provision centre in Co. Leitrim, following weeks of protests from locals.
There had been a round-theclock silent protest outside an apartment block in Ballinamore, which was scheduled to house 130 asylum seekers, since mid October.
Following talks with officials from the Department of Justice, the Ballinamore Community Group agreed to stand down their demonstrations temporarily pending further discussions.
The move came hours after the owners of a 25-apartment complex successfully applied to the High Court to get an injunction against a number of the protesters.
Despite this, after a local representative group met with officials from the Department of Justice, it was agreed to postpone the development.
In the High Court the owners of the apartment complex, Remcoll 2 Ltd, said they feared their building would be subject to arson attacks.
Properties earmarked for direct provision centres in Moville, Co. Donegal and Rooskey, Co. Roscommon were set on fire earlier this year.
Local Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny had his car set on fire outside his home following his support for asylum seekers.
In a statement, the community group said that after talks with officials working with David Stanton, minister of state with responsibility for immigration, they were postponing their protest pending further talks.
Speaking to the MoS yesterday, Gordon Hughes, Community Group spokesman and one of those named on the injunction, said the department agreed to suspended developments pending further discussions with the group.
Mr Hughes said: ‘We have put forward a counterproposal, which the minister is considering, and we are of the view that it could be rolled out across the country.
‘We want to play our part but we want it to be proportional.’