Tipperary hotel staff and management meet as asylum accommodation decision condemned

Meetings between staff and management of the Racket Hall Hotel were held on Friday afternoon against the backdrop of protests at the entrance to the premises, after it was announced yesterday the hotel will close to the public and begin providing accommodation for international protection applicants.

All 40 rooms at Roscrea's only hotel will begin providing accommodation for asylum seekers after it was revealed on Thursday the facility is designated to accommodate 160 people described as "families of international protection applicants".

Protest barricades were soon erected by local people and manned overnight as protestors refuse to leave the car-park of the hotel. Gardaí are present at the scene.

The issue was raised at the monthly meeting of Tipperary County Council at 3pm on Friday, when CEO, Joe MacGrath, said communities in Tipperary and particularly Roscrea have been "exemplary" in their response to accepting refugees from Ukraine and around the world.

A multi-agency meeting that had been due to take place later this month has been brought forward to deal with Roscrea next week, Mr McGrath said, adding that the Department of Integration and Equality are under “extraordinary pressure” to find emergency accommodation.

Roscrea based Fianna Fáil Councillor, Michael Smith, said his main concerns are for members of staff, some of whom have lost their jobs. Some staff members showed up at the hotel today and complained at the dearth of information about their jobs or any update from management.

Cllr. Smith said the integration of Ukrainian families in the former Sacred Heart Convent in Roscrea has proceeded smoothly after some concerns and protests around the issue when the news broke last year. But, he said, the decision to place asylum seekers in Roscrea's only hotel overnight has eroded people's trust and shocked the community.

Weddings and family functions planned for the coming year were cancelled.

“That’s very difficult for families at any time of the year,” Cllr. Smith said condemning the treatment of staff. "It leaves a lot to be desired and is quite shocking.

“It’s a severe blow to the town. The only active hotel in Roscrea, is going to host international protection applicants for the next 12 months”, he said. 

The decision was also condemned by local Finé Gael Councillor for the Roscrea area, Cllr. Noel Coonan, who said the situation is unfair on the people of Roscrea and the people already seeking asylum in Roscrea.

Protestors pictured at the entrance to Racket Hall this morning. Photo: PJ Wright

“I know Racket Hall fairly well, but I’m amazed that it can accommodate 160 beds. We were told there was 40 bedrooms there,” he said. “The whole situation is crazy. I’d like to know the actual role of the Council? The contact that can be made? A name, a phone number.

“We must listen to the voice of the people and those in authority are doing that at the moment in relation to this,” Cllr Coonan said. “It’s a tragedy waiting to happen”, he said. 

Roscrea currently has a direct provision facility already accommodating 200 international asylum seekers in a building which is a former mother and baby home at Coville House in Sean Ross Abbey and 400 people fleeing the war in Ukraine at a repurposed former Convent in the centre of the heritage town.

People seeking asylum in Ireland are also accommodated in several houses in the town centre, where locals say it is extremely difficult to find any rental property and education and healthcare services are overburdened.

Tipperary TD, Michael Lowry, has warned government he will retract his support over the issue unfolding in Roscrea and said the Racket Hall issue has brought Roscrea to "a tipping point".

Deputy Lowry said Roscrea's Garda Station is closed at night and people feel the town has become unsafe at night.

Roscrea women Margaret Collison, Fiona Dunford, Alison Lee and Catriona Queally pictured at the protest at Racket Hall. Photo: PJ Wright

Those concerns were echoed by Derek Russell, founder of local activist group Roscrea Stands Up, who said crime has mushroomed in the town and local people will not let their children into the town after dark.

Roscrea Stands Up are leading the protest planned for Roscrea town centre at 3:30pm on Saturday and have invited elected representatives and all concerned people from the town and surrounding areas to support the demonstration.

More on this unfolding story as it happens.