Skellig Star hotel hunger strike called off for now
THE hunger strike at a Direct Provision centre in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, has been called off after the Minister for Justice confirmed that all asylum seekers will be relocated.
The decision had come at a pivotal point during day three of the demonstration, when some of the 27 participating residents at the former Skellig Star Hotel had decided to refuse water as well as food.
However, some were cautious about the announcement as the process to relocate every one of the 41 residents could take months.
Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she ‘regrets’ the situation that has arisen at the centre.
‘Places for the first families are currently being identified and moves for them will be completed by the end of next week,’ she said.
‘Other residents in the centre will be moved to permanent accommodation as soon as spaces can be found. This process will be completed in a relatively short period and no more than a few months.’
For more than four months, the occupants have been calling to be relocated to a more suitable, safer environment due to an outbreak of Covid19 at the centre.
Some 25 former residents have contracted the virus, including a seven-year-old girl and three members of staff.
Of the original 105, there are now just 41 people left, including seven children.
About 30 former residents left voluntarily in recent weeks, many of whom are now availing of homeless services.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, former hunger striker and father-of-one Azwar Fuard, from Sri Lanka, said he had felt himself growing weaker, especially since he started refusing water.
‘We were left with no choice,’ said Mr Fuard.
‘The trauma we’ve endured over the past four months was unbearable and it had hit breaking point. We welcome that the Government has committed to relocate us, but are still worried that it’ll be a matter of months before everyone has been moved.
‘We have no choice but to put our faith in their promise because we have nowhere else to turn. I’ve been without food for three days now. It’s incredibly difficult, especially since many of us had also started to refuse water, but we could see no other way to make the Government take action,’ he said.
Mr Fuard, who lives at the centre with his wife and threeyear-old daughter, said that if the Government does not stick to its promise, then the asylum seekers will resume their hunger strike.
Ms McEntee later apologised to the residents of the Skellig Star, saying: ‘I want to acknowledge how difficult this has been for residents. I accept that the outbreak of Covid-19 in the centre was distressing for staff and residents, and the wider community.’
However, she said that the overall system of Direct Provision will not change overnight. ‘The existing centres will continue to operate in the short to medium term but changes will be made,’ she said.
‘While it ensures that the basic needs of people are met, people claiming international protection need more than just that. They need a holistic system that is responsive to their needs and respects their dignity, right to privacy and a family life.’
Sinn Féin equality spokesperson Pa Daly has welcomed the decision of the residents to end their hunger strike.
‘I am glad that the Minister for Justice has taken their concerns on board and has announced today that residents will be relocated over the coming weeks,’ he said.
‘This should happen sooner rather than later.’
A white paper on replacing Direct Provision will be drafted by the end of the year. It comes after a report prepared by Dr Catherine Day suggested major changes to the existing system.
‘They need a holistic system’