Asylum seekers in Citywest Hotel are “so happy” they are entitled to vote in next week’s local elections. 

Each election in Ireland operates with a different franchise; Irish citizens can vote in all elections and referendums, British citizens can cast a ballot for the Dáil, Europeans in EU elections and everyone else can vote in local elections. 

Speaking to Newstalk, Citywest resident Salman Jamal said he was very excited about the upcoming election. 

“To get a vote now, it will be a real pleasure for me,” he said. 

“I’m very happy to be a voter in Ireland - it’s kind of amazing.

“In Somalia, there are no free elections.” 

Salman Jamal. 03/04/2024. Image: Newstalk

Mr Jamal said he remains undecided who he will vote for personally but has been researching the policies of the different candidates and parties standing in the Clondalkin local election area. 

Ahead of the May 20th deadline, Mr Jamal registered eight other Citywest residents to vote in the election. 

“When I told them, they were so happy to be taking part,” he said. 

“It was amazing, some of them, they didn’t believe that they can take part in the vote. 

“They are so happy.” 

'They attacked me with a suicide car'

Before fleeing to Ireland, Mr Jamal was a public figure in his native Somalia and survived two attempts on his life. 

The East African country is one of the most dangerous in the world and the Department of Foreign Affairs advises against travelling there.  

“I was a very famous journalist in Somalia,” he said. 

“It was 2015 when the terrorist group told me to take their orders and they told me to stop what I was doing in Somalia. 

“What they are doing is not right - killing people and making suicide bombs. 

“I tell the people that what they are doing is not right. 

“At that time, they attacked me with a suicide car and two of my colleagues died.” 

After treatment in Turkey, Mr Jamal returned to Somalia to work as a media advisor to the Speaker of the Somali Parliament. 

“They attacked me another time and they killed my Dad,” he said. 

“I then took the decision to flee the country from Somalia to Ireland to get to safety.” 

Mr Jamal arrived in Ireland last year and lodged an application for asylum. 

He is still awaiting a decision about his application but hopes one day his wife and children will join him and they will rent their own home together.

Main image: Salman Jamal. Picture by: Newstalk.