'People are being deliberately deceived,' says Tipperary TD on rumours hotel will change to IPAS centre

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said he is concerned that owners or past owners of the hotel are deliberately deceiving locals and staff at the hotel

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said he is concerned that owners or past owners of the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel are deliberately deceiving locals and staff at the hotel, with statements denying that it is being considered as changing use to a potential IPAS centre.

According to Tipp Mid West Radio, it was confirmed to them last night by the Department of Integration, that an offer of accommodation is being accessed.

Speaking with Mattie McGrath today about the matter, he said: "It's not rumours at all, I have seen evidence, in a text, that Kilcoran is likely to be turned into an IPAS centre."

McGrath went on to say that this text message was shown to him by someone he trusts greatly.

"I spoke with a manager at the hotel and he said that the receivers have assured him that they haven't applied. There's obviously negotiations going on behind people's backs, which is totally unfair to locals and staff at the hotel" McGrath went on to say.

The hotel offers 22 bedrooms for guests, a leisure centre, a restaurant and employs 21 people.

In a statement given by the hotel to TipperaryLive, they said: "The Hotel previously issued a statement on 15 November 2024 in relation to this matter and as part of this statement it was confirmed that the Hotel was going through a sales process.

"For the avoidance of doubt, since issuing the statement: No agreement has been reached with any party regarding the sale of the Hotel, no preferred purchaser for the Hotel has been identified and the Hotel has had no contact whatsoever with the Department or any other body regarding IPAS."