A group campaigning against proposals for a Direct Provision centre in Oughterard in Galway say they're protesting against the prospect of people being housed in "inhumane" conditions.
Hundreds of people have been holding a round-the-clock protest outside a former hotel in the town, amid speculation it has been earmarked to house asylum seekers.
The Department of Justice has insisted no contract has yet been signed for a centre at the currently closed Connemara Gateway hotel.
However, locals have continued protesting against the proposals - raising their concerns about the conditions at the site.
One local man at the protest explained that the group is protesting about the facilities, not the people who will use them.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast reporter Barry Whyte, the man observed: "We hate this idea that we're being tarred as racist.
"On our main street, we have eight businesses that are run by people of various non-Irish backgrounds... everything from Polish to Moroccan.
"We would never think about these people being of other nationalities or races - we all integrate, and get on well together.
He added: "We're really sick of the idea that they're putting four to five people in a room up here, in what is almost like a concentration camp on the edge of the town with no facilities for them.
"It's inhumane, and we don't want to be associated with it as a town."
Another local suggested the town can't handle anyone coming in, as the local GP and schools are at full capacity.
Earlier this month, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said any demonstrations need to take place in an "atmosphere of calm".
He's also argued that some people want to exploit local concerns to "whip up anti-immigrant, anti-asylum seeker sentiment".
Campaigners have also pointed out how far-right figures - including from outside Ireland - have moved to take advantage of the situation.
Reacting to Minister Flanagan's observations, one woman in Oughterard argued: "I know what I'm fighting for, I know what I'm standing here every day.
"I have worked with asylum seekers... I have had them in my home for weeks on end to make sure they were OK.
"Maybe at the very beginning there were people from the left and right who may have tried to infiltrate - but they were very quickly shown where to go."
