Large crowd attends public gathering outside Knock hotel mooted for refugee accommodation

APPROXIMATELY 200 people gathered outside the Belmont Hotel in Knock to voice concerns over proposals to accommodate Ukrainian refugees at the building. 

Local election candidates Paul Lawless (Aontú), Geraldine Kelly (Independent), Aaron Kelly (The Irish People Party) and European election candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, James Reynolds (The National Party), addressed the meeting, which was organised by Mr Lawless. 

Concerns were expressed by some speakers about the lack of services in the area to provide for refugees at the 65-bedroom hotel. Some locals were also among those who addressed the gathering outside the hotel, which has fallen into a dilapidated state after closing in 2010. 

The Mayo News revealed yesterday (Tuesday) that Mayo County Council's Director of Services, Tom Gilligan, had liaised with Mr Bobby Carter last July regarding using the hotel to accommodate refugees from Ukraine. 

Mr Gilligan told The Mayo News that it was planned to renovate the hotel in two phases. Works have recently taken place at the exterior and interior of the building, formerly known as the Orena Hotel. 

Following recent changes to government policy, Ukrainian refugees can reside in state accommodation for a maximum of 90 days before having to find their own accommodation. 

Mr Lawless told The Mayo News today (Wednesday) that a committee will be established to engage further with the issue. 

He also criticised sitting county councillors for not disclosing details of a letter sent by Mr Gilligan to councillors last summer regarding the use of the Belmont Hotel as potential refugee accomodation. 

There were no sitting county councillors or TDs at the gathering at the Belmont Hotel last night (Tuesday).