The Department of Integration wants to accommodate the refugees in Lissywollen - initially in tents and later in modular units.

The centre on the Battery Road in Longford Town provides a community-based service for people with intellectual difficulties.

The Status Yellow alert will come into effect at 7pm this evening, and remain active until 8am tomorrow morning.

Longford county planners have received the application and are due to make a decision in the coming months.

It was due to be a 20-bed specialist unit, but it has stalled despite an 8 million euro allocation.

Sources say foul play cannot be ruled out.