CENTRE OF ATTENTION The Ridgepool Hotel in Ballina town centre, which is the subject of much controversy over proposals to turn it into a hostel for asylum seekers. Pic: John O’Grady
Future of Ridgepool Hotel increasingly uncertain as Department expresses interest
Emer Gallagher
FOLLOWING much speculation in recent weeks, it has been confirmed that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform are interested in acquiring the Ridgepool Hotel as a centre for asylum seekers.
And Bridgestock, one of the largest providers of asylum centres in the country, have also expressed their interest. The company would be contracted to provide accommodation in Ballina by the Department of Justice.
At the monthly meeting of Ballina Town Council last week, Mayor Padraig Moore confirmed to the members that both the CEO of Bridgestock and the Department of Justice had expressed interest in the hotel site.
“No contract has been signed,” Mayor Moore told the Council. “We are not going to let it [the Ridgepool Hotel] go easily. It is Ballina’s and Ballina’s forever. People will fight this and people believe in this.”
The rumours surrounding the proposed development of the Ridgepool Hotel in Ballina into a direct provision centre that would house 300 asylum seekers continue to abound in Ballina. While there has been no official confirmation of plans for such a service in the town, it has not been denied and this is causing a great deal of worry, according to Cllr Michelle Mulherin.
“As things stand there’s a certain surreality in the town. It’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue. We haven’t been told anything. It hasn’t been confirmed, but it hasn’t been denied. Is it a proposal? There is something sinister about this. The idea of awarding a contract overnight does not happen,” said Cllr Mulherin.
Ballina Dáil Deputy Dara Calleary has vowed to oppose the centre. “I am meeting with the Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, next week and I will outline my personal opposition to it and the town opposition to it,” said the Fianna Fáil TD.
“There is an interest in the site from the Department but it is the wrong site, we cannot give an important site like this up. It is the most high profile site in the town.”
Deputy Calleary outlined that the Department do not look directly at housing asylum seekers in a particular area but rather look at a acquiring a suitable property when it becomes available.
DG Hotels, who own the Ridgepool Hotel, issued a statement to the media last week outlining their intention to safeguard the jobs of the hotel staff but did not confirm if the property would continue to operate as a hotel.
“We are currently evaluating more than one offer so we are not going to disclose the names of the interested parties. However we are saying that our preferred option at his stage is an offer whereby the incoming operator will commit to safeguard the jobs of our staff,” said Christy Power, Commercial Director of DG hotels.
The fate of the renowned hotel is likely to become clear very soon as the sale is expected to close this month.
