Some 15 homeless asylum seekers have been moved on from Ballsbridge in Dublin after setting up tents their last night.

They had pitched tents provided by local charities in St Mary’s Church Park after receiving no offer of accommodation from the State.

It follows a multi-agency operation over the weekend to remove around 200 asylum seekers from tents on Mount Street – a site Taoiseach Simon Harris described as a “makeshift shanty town”.

On Newstalk Breakfast today, The Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland said residents met the asylum seekers shortly after arriving at St Mary’s Church Park yesterday.

“They came down to investigate and see what was going on,” she said.

“Quickly after that, Gardaí arrived and the parish priest here of the church that owns the park came down to see what was going on.

“He spoke to Gardaí and said they could stay here overnight as long as they were gone first thing in the morning.”

Gardaí stand on Dublin's Mount Street during an operation to remove asylum seeker tents outside the International Protection Office, 1-5-24. Image: Stephanie Rohan/Newstalk

The park was deemed unsuitable due to its proximity to a primary school.

“There’s a primary school cheek by jowl with the park and they sometimes would be using the park for playing sports,” said Ms Holland.

“Also, over the weekend, apparently there are holy communions and confirmations going on when the park will be used for family socials and that type of thing.

“[The parish priest] had great sympathy for the men, but he was anxious that they vacate the property by this morning.”

Homeless asylum seekers

Ms Holland said the asylum seekers were packing up by 8am this morning and were unsure of what lay ahead.

“They’ll head for somewhere they can get breakfast; there’s a number of charities that offer breakfast to homeless people,” she said.

“They will regroup and decide where to pitch tents tonight, they’re on the move around the city to find somewhere to stay and hopefully not have to move every night.”

Over 1,000 asylum seekers are currently without accommodation in the State.

Main image: A tent left behind by homeless asylum seekers as they were moved on from St Mary's Church Park today. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk