A security guard was injured and electrical equipment damaged after a group of protesters entered a tented accommodation site in Athlone on Sunday. That's according to the Department of Integration after a major protest at the Lissywollen IPAS centre on Sunday. Over 200 people attended a protest march from the Athlone Civic Centre to the site of the tented accommodation on Sunday afternoon.
The Department of Integration wants to accommodate the refugees in Lissywollen - initially in tents and later in modular units, with the first group arriving late last week. The site is in addition to the active direct provision centre in the area and is envisioned to house up to 1,000 single adult males who are seeking asylum.
According to Gardaí. a small number of people gained entry to the property during Sunday's protest with the Department of Integration stating that electrical equipment was damaged on site. The Athlone for All group told Shannonside FM news that this resulted in the loss of power and heating to the facility, with residents forced to shelter in the kitchen on site. Gardaí directed the individuals who entered from the protest to leave the area and they complied and voluntarily left.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed that enquires into all of the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. Separately, A High Court Action launched by local councillors against the development is due to be heard by Mr Justice Richard Humphries next week. Liam is a spokesperson for Athlone for All and told Shannonside FM News that the incident had a major effect on the men housed on site:
He says local's are unfairly blaming these men for a pre-existing lack of services and is urging them not to dehumanize them:
