Tipperary councillor condemns 'vicious messages' over Racket Hall protest stance

Roscrea-based County Councillor Michael Smith has received what he describes as "vicious messages" on social media in recent days because of his stance on the unfolding protests outside Racket Hall in Roscrea.

"History has taught us several things. We need to learn from the past and not make the same mistakes", Cllr. Michael Smith told the Tribune.

"Many people emigrate to seek a better life. Highly educated individuals, have carved out successful lives in other parts of the world, and are sometimes instrumental in helping us to attract foreign direct investment into this country. My father especially remembers seven members of one family emigrating as they could not find employment in Ireland.

"These were not easy times for those who left or those who stayed behind. Our songs and stories, “many young men of twenty” said their goodbyes, paint a vivid picture of the reality of those times.

"Few families escaped, we can only imagine how difficult it was to find accommodation and employment. There was no buffer then or entitlement to benefits.

Few could have foreseen a day would come when the business enterprises in Roscrea could not operate without the assistance of over 1,000 migrant workers. Ashbourne Meats, the Bacon factory, Stapletons, Liffey Mills, Adare Transport, Farm Relief, Shopping Centres, Nursing Homes, St Anne’s among many others, are constantly seeking new workers to maintain their operations", Cllr. Smith continued.

"Hundreds of heavy-laden vehicles leave Roscrea every week with goods and materials destined for different parts of the world. These services are constantly seeking new drivers.

"The people of Roscrea are welcoming people and this has been demonstrated over and over again and particularly in the case of Ukrainians and refugees that have arrived up to now.

"A number of enterprises have been established in our town by migrants and new businesses have developed as a result of their creativity.

"I am constantly working for new initiatives and reliefs to foster more enterprise, big and small.

"The support of the Government and the County Council is essential in generating more confidence and dispelling the negative attitude that sometimes prevails.

"I am working for a better mix of public and private housing and efforts are underway to promote balanced development.

"When the news broke last week that the Racket Hall Hotel was to accommodate 160 international protection applicants, whilst I had no prior knowledge of this decision, I instinctively knew that I could not protest against people who have suffered trauma and seeking shelter.

"Neither could I pretend as a County Councillor that I could prevent this from happening", Cllr. Smith told the Midland Tribune.

"However, I was not ready for the verbal attacks that were made to me personally and the onslaught of vicious messages on social media.

"Naturally, I would have liked to shield my wife and family from this form of abuse but this proved impossible. We all have the right to protest and freedom of speech, with respect to different views and perspectives. Having different opinions should never reach the stage that we lose that respect.

"We know that Roscrea is taking more than its fair share. There is no easy answer to the question of dealing with the accommodation needs of over 100,000 fleeing from war torn countries in one year.

"One liners and quick-fix solutions paraded by opposition politicians does nothing to solve the problem. Trying to hoodwink the public by playing both sides of the coin is no recipe in the short or long term.

"Towns such as Roscrea, hopefully will absorb these applicants and one day they will take up employment, build new enterprises and have a happy life as part of our community. We must be hopeful for the future, learning the lessons of our own history along the way.

"This week, I am meeting with the Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman T.D., to discuss these issues, the community recognition, acknowledging the part that the people of Roscrea have made in accommodating refugees, asylum seekers and those seeking international protection. We hope that there will be a positive response and a more long-term plan put in place", Cllr. Smith said.

Earlier today there were clashes between Garda public order unit members and protestors at the Racket Hall Hotel as people seeking international protection accommodation entered the hotel building.

Protests are planned to continue into their fifth night at the hotel tonight.

More on this unfolding story as it happens