As a second day of protests continue in Ballinrobe, one barrister has questioned just how big the far-right in Ireland is. 

Protestors in Ballinrobe have said they’re determined to continue until they get full reassurances that a vacant hotel is not going to house 50 asylum seekers. 

Local Fine Gael Councillor Michael Burke said online yesterday that the owner of JJ Gannon’s had agreed to withdraw its agreement to house the asylum seekers. 

The Department of Integration has said it is “continuing to engage with the provider in relation to the premises in Ballinrobe and is not in a position to comment further”. 

On today’s Anton Savage newspaper panel, Barrister Peter Leonard said there is definitely a concern about anti-immigrant sentiment in Ireland. 

“We had the horrors on the streets of Dublin in November, we’ve had hotels burned down, we’ve had Ballinrobe last night,” he said. 

He argued, however, this anti-immigrant sentiment might not be as big an issue as it seems when it comes to population size. 

“Immigration is an issue, but I tend to think the reference to the far-right is overstated. 

“We had that horrible incident in Dublin and when the Dáil reopened... but only about 300 people showed up. 

“There is a sentiment, and it would be wrong to deny it exists, but how big is it?” 

'Land of a thousand welcomes'

ShinAwiL CEO Ireland needs to “do its part” and welcome asylum seekers into the country. 

“If you’re going to have an open border policy and be the land of a thousand welcomes in a country where we benefit from our people going around the world... we need to do our part,” he said. 

“We need to invest in the services needed to facilitate it and be a welcoming state.” 

Assistant Professor in Landscape Studies Cara Augustenborg said people have taken advantage of a lack of information about migration. 

“When you have a vacuum of information, you just get bad information,” she said. 

“The vacuum is being filled with misinformation and hatred.” 

Asylum seekers in Ballinrobe

Prof Augustenborg pointed out there is an employee deficit in many sectors such as healthcare, schools and hospitality. 

“There's a lack of clear communication about bringing skilled workers into the country,” she said. 

According to the latest figures from the Department of Integration, 376 recently arrived asylum seekers are currently without accommodation. 

The Department has also reported there are 26,279 international protection applicants with accommodation in the State. 

As of January 3rd, a weekly average of 62 asylum seekers have arrived Ireland. 

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Main image: JJ Gannon's Bar and Hotel in Ballinrobe Co Mayo, October 2022. Image: Google Maps