March against housing of asylum seekers in Ballina hotel to take place

A march will take place in Ballina today as a show of opposition to the accommodation of 120 International Protection Applicants (IPAs) in the Twin Trees Hotel.

Demonstrators will walk from the hotel through Ballina at hotel on the Downhill Road at 3pm and will then proceed through the town. 

A crowd of approximately 400 people attended a demonstration at the hotel last Friday after it was officially announced that the hotel would be using 33 of its bedrooms to accommodate 120 IPAs from family units.

Protestors have maintained a presence at the hotel since the announcement was made. 

The Twin Trees Hotel has said that it will remain open to the public and urged protestors not to obstruct staff, guests or users of the leisure facility. 

Alan Flannery, one of the organisers of today’s (Saturday) demonstration, called on demonstrators to act peacefully. 

Speaking on Midwest Radio earlier this week, Mr Flannery expressed concern over the impact on services  from accommodating people in the hotel.

“The way things are there’s a lot of hotels and B&Bs in the area already taken up with asylum seekers. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to access doctors and dentists and schools and créches and the whatnot. I think it’s time this needs to stop,” Mr Flannery said.

“My view on it, and the view of the group is enough is enough. The town has done it’s part. I just don’t think the services are there for it. That’s the high and the short of it.”

Ballina Municipal District Council earlier this week voted to write to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman calling for the proposed use of the hotel for IPAs to be halted. 

Local Fine Gael election candidate Hugh Rouse has also expressed opposition to the hotel being used to accommodate asylum seekers. 

The hotel is due to undergo extensive refurbishment involving upgrades to all guest and member facilities.

“Our plan is to elevate the hotel to a lifestyle leisure resort for the area, bringing a new premium standard of hospitality for the North Mayo region,” it said in a statement.

The monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District Council was told that Ballina - which has a population of over 10,000 - is currently accommodating 407 asylum seekers and Ukrainians.

Westport is accommodating 614 while Castlebar is accommodating 1,393.