Protestors are to converge on the International Protection Office today, calling for better treatment of asylum seekers. 

Organisers say the Government is failing to meet their obligations to international protection applicants, with many sleeping rough outside the office on Mount Street in Dublin. 

There are currently 1,758 asylum seekers homeless in Ireland. 

Social Rights Ireland (SRI) Spokesperson Roisin McAleer said this situation is “out of control” for asylum seekers. 

“But this is an unjust crisis as well as a really dangerous crisis,” she said. 

“It's infuriating, and we just can't stand by and continue to do nothing.” 

Tents housing asylum seekers pictured outside the International Protection Office in Dublin. Image: Newstalk/ Barry Whyte

In recent months, SRI has provided support to asylum seekers sleeping rough in Dublin, particularly outside the IPO on Mount Street. 

The group provided tents, clothes and food to international protection applicants who could not find accommodation. 

Ms McAleer, however, said this system of charity cannot go on forever. 

“We can't continue to sustain a camp, provide clothes and food and camps for people,” she said. “It's just it's just impossible.” 

Asylum seekers moved

The tents occupied by asylum seekers on Mount Street were removed in March as they were moved to accommodation in Crooksling, Co Dublin. 

SRI called the removal of tents a “cynical” ploy by the Government to remove an “embarrassing spectacle” from the city on St Patrick’s Day. 

“They have not made even a minimal attempt to resolve the problem and tend to the welfare of these men, many of whom are suffering from illnesses such as frostbite, infected wounds and scabies,” SRI said in a statement.  

“We find it outrageous that these vulnerable men are being treated with such disdain by our Government.” 

According to SRI, shortly after the asylum seekers left, three men “slashed most of the tents and were loading others onto the back of a trailer”.  

“These tents are the property of SRI, which received them as donations from private citizens and businesses,” it said.  

SRI also claimed volunteers were informed by asylum seekers that when they arrived at the premise in Crooksling, they were given new tents and were told they could pitch them in a field next to the building.