LIVE: Thurles IPAS centre meeting postponed amidst heated local debate over the proposal

News broke on Wednesday evening that an application for an IPAS Centre for Thurles is progressing and that a Section 5 permission has been granted by Tipperary County Council to Kilbrin Homes in Cork for exempted development status at an old commercial building in Mitchel Street.

Initially, Cllr Jim Ryan had organised a meeting to occur on Friday night (21 March) in the Anner Hotel in Thurles but this has since been postponed to allow more to attend.

In a Facebook post published on Thursday afternoon, Cllr Jim Ryan wrote:

"My sincere apologies but tomorrow night's public meeting regarding the proposed IPAS Centre in Mitchel Street in Thurles has been postponed. I want to give everyone the opportunity to attend this very important meeting including the owner and officials from the Department of Integration. Tomorrow night was just too short notice for them.

"The meeting will now go ahead next Thursday night 27th of March at 7.30pm in the Anner Hotel. Sorry for all the changes over the last few hours but I want anyone who wants to attend to be given that opportunity. I hope you all understand. Please share"

READ NEXT: Local uproar over application for proposed IPAS centre in Thurles

Since the news about the proposed Thurles IPAS centre broke on Wednesday evening many locals have taken to social media to share their thoughts:

"I really shouldn’t have to say this & I shouldn’t have to do this but I am actively encouraging my children to leave their home country as there is nothing here for them anymore. No standard of living, can’t buy a house, can’t raise children without fear. it’s time for them to emigrate to a country that respects the hardworking individual & to a country with morals & decency & most importantly a country that is safe" said one person.

Another wrote: "This was an issue prior to election that was created by the last government in place. Yet the majority of people decided to vote them back in by either voting for them, or failing to vote for an opposition party."

One more said: "The people no longer have a say in Ireland. Government have assumed ownership of the country. The people need to take back ownership from this rogue government & all political parties because there is no genuine opposition".