52 international protection applicants will be housed in the Riverwalk apartments from June 7th - despite protests recently.

Those who moved into the centre today were two fathers, five mothers and 13 children.

Up to 60 international protection applicants are set to be housed in the former Stella Maris nursing home in Baylough.

Minister Heather Humphreys was speaking ahead of a visit to Castlerea earlier today where she opened the new An Chistin Food Hub.

There are concerns the sudden closure will badly affect refugees who work or go to school in the area.

Around 90 people protested against plans to accommodate 52 International Protection applicants in the town yesterday.

The Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo has been home to 170 Ukrainians for over two years but they were told they would have to leave at the end of this month.

There is no clarity yet on whether the international protection applicants will be men, women or children.