The movement of asylum seekers from Mount Street to Crooksling was a “cynical” ploy by the Government to remove an “embarrassing spectacle” from the city on St Patrick’s Day, according to Social Rights Ireland (SRI). 

The group which has been offering support to homeless asylum seekers outside the International Protection Office (IPO) criticised the decision to move them to a premise in Crooksling, west Dublin. 

According to SRI, this was “a cynical and profoundly irresponsible ploy by the Government to remove the embarrassing spectacle of a refugee encampment from the centre of the city on St. Patrick’s weekend, when many tourists are visiting Dublin”. 

“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.” 

An abandoned tent outside the International Protection Office previously used by an asylum seeker that has been slashed. Photo by Rory Chinn

The asylum seekers were taken by bus to leave Mount Street at 9am today. 

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. 

“No food was offered to the men, nor were they informed about any other services other than use of the bathroom and shower facilities at the nursing home,” it said. 

“They were not informed how long this arrangement would last and whether there are plans to move them to secure indoor accommodation.” 

According to SRI, some of the asylum seekers have chosen to walk back to the IPO, a 20km distance from Crooksling. 

The Department of Integration said the premise at Crooksling has "toilets, showers, food, security, access to health services, and transport links to Dublin will be put in place".

"Anyone who chooses to refuse this offer or leave the space offered by IPAS are of course entitled to make that choice," it said.

"However, for their own safety and health, we do not recommend anyone return to Mount St as it does not have the facilities or security."