'Urlingford Says No!' banner erected during protests in town on Tipperary/Kilkenny border

A number of social media posts have been uploaded to the X platform in the past 24 hours picturing a banner with the statement, 'Urlingford Says No'.

The banner was reportedly erected during Friday’s protest outside the former Josephine's Restaurant in Urlingford, as people gathered outside the site to oppose the possible use of the complex to house migrants.

According to an eye-witness, approximately 20 people attended the protest.

The public demonstration came in the wake of a 10 minute video released on social media earlier in the week, in which two speakers claimed the site was being prepared to house a large volume of migrants, some of which were 'possibly dangerous men'.

A statement was issued in response on behalf of the owners of the site, Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd, who said they wanted to put an end to the 'misinformation'.

In a statement released on Thursday, the local company confirmed the building is being redeveloped and repurposed to accommodate both Ukrainian people and their families but intends to use the building for business purposes when the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine comes to an end.

"The current campaign of scaremongering and lies directed towards us has the sole purpose of causing worry in the community when it is not warranted. Lies and mistruths that are spread on social media are profoundly hurtful and damaging. As our families are long-standing members of the Urlingford community, we would request this to cease,” the statement concluded.