Furious residents who are staging a protest outside an unused building in North Dublin set to house an estimated 300 asylum seekers have declared “We’re here for as long as it takes”.
Locals from Santry have been taking turns to man a blockade in front of the premises in the Airways Industrial Estate located near the Swords Road for the last six weeks. But this has intensified since Sunday morning after there was a failed attempt to move around 100 refugees into the building secretly.
It is understood the asylum seekers were being transported to the area by buses and taxis but they were turned away. Some locals have even sat out throughout the night since Sunday to ensure no refugees were brought in under the cover of darkness.
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Protesters, who were predominantly pensioners, stressed they were particularly annoyed at the lack of consultation from the government about the plans and said they would do the exact same thing if 300 Irish people were going to be brought into the area. The Irish Mirror understands that no asylum seekers have been moved into the building yet.
Demonstrators at the scene yesterday spoke to The Irish Mirror/Star on the condition of anonymity and voiced their concerns. One man said: “The building isn’t fit for purpose. It’s inhumane to put people in that building. It’s like a prison. This isn’t about refugees, we wouldn’t care if 300 Irish people were put in there - we’d have the same protest, I want to make that clear.”
The residents said they were particularly annoyed that all protesters have been branded “far right” and said locals have genuine concerns that the government is ignoring. The man continued: “If you look at the people here - do they look far right to you? Some of us are old-aged pensioners, I’m retired. This is just not fit for purpose. All the residents are concerned for their safety.”
Another woman at the blockade said: “I would love to speak to somebody in the government and ask them ‘What is their plan, why are they bringing in refugees when we have so many people already without houses?’ So many Irish people are homeless, children are going to school from hotels. It’s not right.”
Residents said they man the blockade whenever they have a couple of hours free. When asked how long they were willing to stay outside the building, one local said: “We’re going to stay here for as long as it takes.”
Another man said: “Why are they calling us far right? We’re only standing up for what we believe in.”
The Irish Mirror understands that there is space for around 300 refugees. It is believed inside there are partitioned rooms - most of which contain two beds, a bedside locker, and a lamp. We also understand that a canteen is located inside the building and has received food deliveries in recent days.
Last week, a similar blockade developed on the roads leading to Magowna House in Inch in Clare but this has since been lifted.
A Garda spokeswoman said: “An Garda Síochána continues to have a proportionate response to a demonstration outside a commercial premises in Santry, Dublin 9, which has been ongoing for a number of weeks. Local Gardaí continue to maintain a presence at the location, continue to engage with various persons in attendance, and are facilitating access to and from the premises.
“Any Garda response in relation to evolving events is in keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety. There is a constitutional right to the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, subject to statutory provisions. An Garda Síochána respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.
"An Garda Síochána has no role in permitting or authorising public gatherings. Where necessary An Garda Síochána puts in place appropriate and proportionate policing plans to monitor public gatherings."
The Irish Mirror also contacted the Department of Integration for comment.
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