Protestors agreed to meet with the Government in four weeks to address their concerns over asylum seekers staying at Magowna House Hotel.  

Those protesting the arrival of asylum seekers in Inch have lifted the blockade to the accommodation centre. 

They said they will no longer protest at the entrance of the hotel site but will continue to protest peacefully at road access points.  

Minister of State for Integration Joe O'Brien welcomed the removal of the blockade.  

“My meeting with the residents on Thursday in Ennis was an honest and open discussion and I am pleased that that engagement has helped bring some improvement to the situation,” he said.  

“I look to returning to Magowna in four weeks as agreed.” 

17/05/2023 Clare, Ireland. Pictured are locals opposing the placement on duty manning a roadblock on Wednesday evening at the entrance to the road to the Magowna House Hotel and guest homes in Co. Clare. Locals have protested after refugees were housed here. Photograph: Eamonn Farrell / ©RollingNews.ie

Magowna House Hotel has been at the centre of a dispute this week over the arrival of asylum seekers.  

Some 50 protestors blocked a road to the site of the closed hotel, where 34 asylum seekers would be staying.   

It is understood that the asylum seekers would stay in individual houses due to fire safety concerns surrounding the hotel, which closed in 2019. 

Locals claim they weren't consulted about this and had formed a blockade at the entrance with cars and tractors to prevent more asylum seekers arriving.  

18/05/2023 Clare, Ireland. Pictured is a Garda escort for a bus carrying asylum seekers to the Magowna Hotel in Clare today. Refugees have faced protests from local residents, who have expressed anger that they were not consulted before the asylum seekers were housed in the hotel. Locals also claim that the lack of footpath on the roads present a danger to persons in need of International Protection who are housed here. Photograph: Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Several asylum seekers returned to Dublin following the protests.  

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Tom Dooley told Newstalk work must continue to resolve remaining concerns. 

“I'm committed to continue to work with the local community and with the asylum seekers who are now resident there,” he said. “They've come through a tough week too.” 

“We've got to take all of that into consideration, try to deescalate the situation [and] work from a goodwill perspective on all sides. And I think the conditions are there now for that to happen.”