A High Court Action against Department of Integration plans to locate up to 1,000 refugees in tents in Athlone has been adjourned until the end of January. Councillor Paul Hogan, backed by fellow local councillors brought the challenge against the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability and Youth over the plans to house the International Protection applicants at a site adjacent to an existing IPAS Centre in Lissywollen. The case was mentioned in a remote sitting of the High Court this morning before Mr Justice Richard Humphries as part of the Planning and Environment list.
The State conceded to the legal challenge against the development earlier this week, with the details about the future of the site still to be confirmed. The challenge was brought over claims the Minister failed to adequately screen the project for potential environmental impacts following his signing of an order earlier this year. Appearing via video links, the fully remote hearing this morning heard discussions over the short term future of the development and the international protection applicants currently on site. Legal representation for the state requested an adjournment of the case until late January in the interest of the orderly management of the site.
It was stated that while maintenance works underway on site will finish tomorrow, no further work will be conducted over Christmas. Oisín Collins SC for Cllr Hogan stated that they sought the full withdrawal of the Ministerial Order similar to what happened at Thornton Hall in North Dublin. Mr Justice Humphries stated that he would adjourn the matter until the 27th of January in order to 'tease it out in the new year' and consider what direction could come from the case.
