There has been yet another clearance of tents belonging to asylum seekers on the Grand Canal today, but it is understood not all have been offered alternative accommodation yet.
The multi-agency operation to remove the tents between McCartney Bridge and Leeson Street Bridge along the Grand Canal got underway at roughly 7.30am.
At the time of removal, there were over 100 tents set up along the canal.
Mental fencing has been set up on the grass areas between the two bridges to prevent tents being pitched once again.
In an email to some asylum seekers, the Department of Integration said a “number of beds” have become available for international protection applicants.
Another tent clearance is under way along the Grand Canal in Dublin after more than 100 tents were pitched along the waterway.
The multiagency operation to remove the tents between McCartney Bridge and Leeson Street Bridge along the Grand Canal got underway at around 9 o clock… pic.twitter.com/Q2MSMUJT0R
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) May 21, 2024
Some 89 asylum seekers in the area received offers of accommodation in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.
The men being moved from the Grand Canal were advised to take public transport to reach their new accommodation.
Men leaving the area are reported to be happy to leave the tents.
It is understood that not all asylum seekers were offered alternative accommodation, with many still at the Grand Canal area awaiting further information.
Today’s removal of tents is the third coordinated clearance after tents were previously removed from another area of the canal and from the International Protection Office in the past few weeks.
Tents at Grand Canal
Roughly 100 tents had been set up along the Grand Canal at the beginning of May, with asylum seekers then moved to new accommodation on May 7th.
Brian, an asylum seeker from South Africa, said another ‘tent city’ will likely appear in another area in Dublin.
“As long as there's the prices of accommodation, this is going to keep happening,” he said.
“If it’s not here it’s going to be somewhere else and it’s going to happen probably by tonight.”
The Department of Integration has been contacted for comment.
