EXPLAINER: Everything we know so far about the Dundrum House Hotel asylum seeker protests!

A large group gathered outside the gates of Dundrum House Hotel on Tuesday morning and what appeared to be a load of gravel was dumped at the gate in protest as the first lot of International Protection Applicants were moved in. 

Locals in the Dundrum area have been protesting the decision to house asylum seekers in the hotel since May of this year.

The locals involved in the protest have said that they had no issues with Ukrainian refugees being housed in the hotel, and that they went on to integrate well into the community.

READ MORE: Business in Tipperary village to withhold rates in protest over asylum seekers in hotel

Gardaí were stationed at all available access points to the hotel from the road, blocking the road with cars and jeeps, not allowing entry to those wishing to gain closer access to the hotel grounds.

In the later morning, buses full of IPAS applicants were transported into the grounds of the hotel, with many users on X (formerly Twitter) sharing photos and videos of the scenes as they unfolded.

Photos and videos emerging from outside the gates of the hotel show members of An Garda Síochána guarding the entrance of the hotel grounds, while protestors stand in front of them expressing their concerns regarding the movement of the IPAS applicants onto the ground.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has released a statement regarding the move for Dundrum House Hotel to be used as a centre for International Protection Applicants to be housed.

On Tuesday morning, buses carrying IPAS applicants landed on the grounds of the Dundrum House Hotel.

READ MORE: Protestors at Tipperary hotel worried about expected influx

Outside the gate, many of the protestors, who have been protesting outside the gates of the hotel for several weeks, gathered in an attempt to prevent the move from happening.

A spokesperson for the Department said: "Dundrum House is currently used for accommodation for people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection due to the Ukraine War. The location has a maximum capacity of 277 people.

"As Government works urgently to find accommodation for people seeking International Protection, and people from Ukraine move on to alternative accommodation, we have arranged to use some vacancies arising at this location to accommodate people seeking International Protection. As part of this process, approximately 80 people seeking international protection are now accommodated at Dundrum House Hotel.

"There is no intention to increase the capacity or overall numbers accommodated at this site, regardless of the process under which they are accommodated in Ireland.

"The Department will keep local representatives and media informed of any changes in arrangements at this site when they are confirmed.

"The Community Engagement Team has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with the accurate information required to help them understand the current situation and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.

"The Community Engagement Team issued a full briefing note to all local elected representatives, the Local Authority and the Local Development Company on 29 May.

"The briefing note included details on the capacity and resident profile at the accommodation centre. Representatives of the CET have ongoing engagement with local stakeholders including a meeting local Councillors on 5 June and a meeting with local stakeholders, convened by the Local Authority on 22 July."

Meanwhile, Councillor Liam Browne has issued a statement regarding the movement of International Protection Applicants into Dundrum House Hotel on Tuesday morning.

The IPAS applicants were moved into the grounds of the hotel this morning, a decision which has been protested by locals in the area since May of this year.

Speaking on the matter, Cllr Browne said: "It is a dark day for democracy in Ireland, when the State sees no issue in using an overwhelming show of Garda force, to push a decision on a community that they simply do not understand. For eleven weeks, this day hung over the community like a dark cloud, and the Government gave the people of Dundrum exactly two hours of their time to ask questions."

"And despite those questions being asked over two weeks ago, none were answered but the decision to move people into Dundrum went ahead. Instead of consultation, the people got dictation. Instead of answers they got pushed aside," he added.

"There is a seething anger building up right across the country. As much as people have an issue with the unlimited number of people now coming into the country, they are disgusted by an increasing realisation that their voices do not matter, that they are not being heard, and in reality, they are not even being listened to. There is no doubt that immigration is going to become a big issue in any upcoming election, and then we’ll get the usual knee jerk responses and broken promises. Surely, we deserve better than this," he said.