52 International Protection applicants moved into ex-BnB in North Cork town

ABBEYVILLE IN FERMOY SAID TO BE NOW HOUSING WOMEN AND CHILDREN ONLY

52 International Protection (IP) applicants comprising women and children moved into Abbeyville House in Fermoy on Thursday, March 21.

It was initially announced in the latter stages of 2023 that 56 International Protection male applicants were to be accommodated in the 19th century townhouse.

The Department of Integration subsequently confirmed in February that the criteria was changed to accommodate International Protection families and children.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy said the IP applicants moved into Abbeyville House on Thursday afternoon. “52 asylum seekers moved in to Abbeyville on Thursday afternoon at around 3pm. We don’t have a breakdown of how many women and children are included in this figure yet. I have written to the Department to find out a more detailed breakdown. I am waiting for clarity,” he said.

Abbeyville House closed as a B’n’B some years ago.

In recent months, the listed building, which dates back to the 1850s, has been undergoing renovation and adaptation works in preparation for its planned use as an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection.

Cllr McCarthy admits he is still worried that Abbeyville House is not big enough to accommodate 52 people. “There are a still a few upset that this number is still too many for that particular house and I have to agree with them. It seems to be an awful lot of people to be located in a house that was made for 25 or 30 people. Other than that I have no problems with them.

“I was one of the five councillors who write to Minister O’Gorman seeking that he look again at the allocation and put families in there. I welcome that, but I still have grave concerns about overcrowding. I would be worried that services in Fermoy would be under pressure as well,” he added.

Daily protests have been held outside Abbeyville House since plans were first announced to house 56 IP applicants at the historic house in Fermoy.

A tent was set up to enable protestors maintain a 24/7 presence at the site.

The main theme expressed by the protestors is around safety both for locals and migrants and the lack of key services.

Cllr McCarthy said the protests are peaceful. “The protestors are still there but it is peaceful. The people in St Joseph’s have been made very welcome and they have settled into the community. The Ukrainians who are here now a couple of years have also settled in very well. Fermoy is a fine town. There is always a good welcome for people in Fermoy.”