One Tipperary town 'railroaded' by overwhelming number of asylum seekers

Roscrea is on the verge of becoming overwhelmed by the dramatic influx of people seeking international protection currently being accommodated in the town, Deputy Michael Lowry has warned.

Speaking in the Dail on Tuesday, the Independent Tipperary TD's remarks come in the wake of elected members of the local authority appealing to the Department of Justice for more Gardaí in Roscrea after a spate of serious crime in recent days.

"Communities in Cashel, Roscrea and across the country are becoming overwhelmed and burdened due to the numbers of asylum seekers residing in their communities", Deputy Michael Lowry said when addressing Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderick O’Gorman.

"Cashel is the most recent example of attempting to impose 74 International Protection Applicants. This is unacceptable and the current review must take account of the location and it’s suitability.

"Roscrea is an ongoing classic example. In recent times this town has been transformed due to the arrival of hundreds of International Protection Applicants. The numbers are totally disproportionate to the local population. The vital services in the town cannot cope and are stretched way beyond capacity", Deputy Lowry said.

"By degrees, the lives of local people have been changed. Reoccurring incidents have eroded the sense of security in the town. People do not feel safe on the streets. Parents are fearful of allowing their teenagers out after dark. Families and older people have had to increase security in their homes", he said.

Deputy Lowry emphasised that in Roscrea, the Garda Station remains closed at night, which is exacerbating the public sense of vulnerability. "Gardai are appealing for additional resources. They are short in numbers and under enormous pressure. They are not able to cope with the increase in incidents", he said.

"Communities like Roscrea need support to adapt to the changes imposed on them. Their lives have been railroaded by circumstances outside their control. Government cannot expect them to accept this without delivering the support and services they need", he said.

The Minister replied that, in relation to Roscrea, his Department had met with accommodation providers, particularly in terms of ensuring that childcare services in one of the locations were protected.

"We will continue to work with the Deputies in terms of ensuring that key services continue to be delivered, and I know that Minister McEntee and the Department of Justice are also aware of the concerns in terms of policing numbers there", the Minister said.