Asylum seeker protesters should raise their concerns in a way that doesn’t impact on vulnerable women and children, the Integration Minister has told Newstalk Breakfast.
Yesterday, Gardaí had to hold back protesters in Roscrea as 17 women and children arrived at the Racket Hall Hotel, which has been repurposed as asylum seeker accommodation.
Footage shared widely on social media showed the asylum seekers being rushed through a Garda cordon as scuffles broke out and protesters clashed with Gardaí.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said it is never acceptable for protesters to block vulnerable people from accessing accommodation centres.
Roderic O'Gorman in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk“I imagine it was upsetting for the children coming in, seeing the scuffles, seeing the hostility that took place – I think that's far from ideal,” he said.
“Again, I've always been very clear people do have that right to protest, do have a right to disagree with the decisions that the Government has taken on this issue but it has to be remembered that we are dealing with vulnerable people here and I think those disagreements can be put forward in a way that doesn't directly impact on vulnerable people.”
“I don't think it's ever acceptable to prevent a person from accessing their accommodation, so I'm grateful for the support An Garda Síochána gave to enable us to be able to use this accommodation,” he said.
Racket Hall
Protesters have been gathered outside the Roscrea hotel since last week’s announcement that it would be used to house asylum seekers.
Many of the protesters are locals expressing concern about a lack of resources in the area; however, on the show earlier this morning, journalist Allison O’Reilly said there are people arriving into the town ‘in their carloads’ to egg them on and create trouble for Gardaí.
Gardaí estimate that up to half the people at yesterday’s protest were not from the local area.
“We know that far-right activists have been involved in promoting protests around the country,” said Minister O’Gorman.
“We know there are people who are going around to places where we are providing accommodation and even indeed places where we're not providing accommodation and trying to whip up local concerns about these issues and we know that that's taking place and particularly on the online space.”
He said it is also important to recognise that some of the protesters there were locals who have genuine concerns about the use of Racket Hall.
Arson
Yesterday, local Fianna Fáil Jackie Cahill said he had received an arson threat against Racket Hall and Gardaí are now investigating.
Minister O’Gorman said he has not heard any details about any threat – but noted that his department is liaising “extremely closely” with Gardaí in terms of security around Racket Hall.
He noted that investigations are underway into two previous suspected arson attacks elsewhere in the country – adding that he expects to see arrests and charges in the near future.
He said he is due to meet Deputy Cahill and other local TDs in the coming days to discuss concerns about resources in the Roscrea area.
