Reflecting on the debacle surrounding Cahersiveen’s Direct Provision centre

SIR,

We are now going into our eighth week in Cahersiveen of what can only be described as a state of terror in the community. This is due to 25 cases of COVID-19 in a Direct Provision centre right in the middle of our town, which was recently opened up without the slightest consultation with the community.

Meanwhile: we have a dysfunctional government that leaves all decision-making in the hands of unelected officials; no opposition parties to question anything; and a Minister who hopes somehow that this will all go away.

In addition, we have a public representative who sold his share in a company that owned the lease to the hotel although he was unaware that it was going to end up as a Direct Provision centre.

Cahersiveen has close links to two of the world’s greatest humanitarians.

Daniel O’Connell was born here and Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty is laid to rest within 100 metres of this now-contaminated building on the grounds of the Daniel O’ Connell Memorial Church.

What is uplifting in all of this is the wonderful way in which the whole community has come together and is so united. In spite of the obvious danger our community has been put in, local people are doing all they can for the unfortunate asylum seekers who fled war and are now trapped inside a contaminated hotel building.

Well over €1,000 has been donated and spent on food and other items for the residents of this hotel turned Direct Provision centre and numerous voluntary workers are also in daily contact with them for help and support.

In my view this hotel is not fit for purpose as a Direct Provision centre.

It is not the way to treat people, and we the people of Cahersiveen will not stand idly by and watch this situation continue to unfold; we will continue our work until it is closed down, Sincerely,

Jack Fitzpatrick, Cahersiveen.