As news broke yesterday that Thornton Hall site, owned by the state, would be used to accommodate asylum seekers
widespread concern has developed in the local community. Located on the old N2 at Coolquay in north
county Dublin and close to Ashbourne, Co Meath.
The property on 160 acre was purchased by the government around 20 years ago to build a prison
has remained unused up to now. The state paid close to €30 million at the time.
Last night saw an impromptu meeting called by local people to discuss the impending move by
government to deal with the problem of housing asylum seekers in their locality.
People have started to gather outside the gates where security has now been put in place.
We spoke to a concerned mother living in the area and as a group of residents they have issued a statement
to us at Meath Live;
”’Communities surrounding Thornton Hall in North County Dublin, have expressed significant concerns regarding the proposed large-scale tented accommodation development for asylum seekers at Thornton Hall. The local communities are disappointed by the apparent lack of consultation and transparency from the authorities involved in the planning process.
Community members are urgently seeking detailed information about the project. Specific questions include the duration of the development, the number of individuals it will house, and the rationale behind selecting a rural site like Thornton Hall for such a large-scale initiative.
Our communities feel blindsided by this decision. There has been no communication with the community about what is being planned at Thornton Hall.
Key concerns highlighted by local residents include:
1. Proper Planning Concerns. Suitability of the rural site to support such a development, particularly given the lack of existing amenities.
2. There are currently no waste water treatment facilities, sanitation systems, or medical facilities in the area capable of supporting a large influx of people.
3. Environmental concerns: what is the proper planning and sustainability for the local environment.
“The infrastructure in Thornton is simply not equipped to handle this kind of development,” said Helena McGann spokesperson for the Thornton Hall and Environs Concerned Group. “Without proper waste water management, sanitation, and medical facilities, this plan seems not only impractical but potentially hazardous.”
Adding to the community’s frustration, previous SHD housing developments of 200 units aimed at addressing local needs were refused permission by An Bord Pleanála due to the same lack of available resources. This precedent highlights the clear unsuitability of Thornton Hall for any large-scale accommodation project.
Furthermore, residents emphasize that proper planning and sustainable development principles must be adhered to. Effective planning ensures that developments are safe, sustainable, and beneficial to both new arrivals and existing communities. Ignoring these principles risks long-term negative impacts on the environment and public health.
In light of these concerns, the Thornton Hall and Environs Concerned Group is requesting an urgent meeting with Ministers Helen McEntee and Roderic O’Gorman. We believe that open direct dialogue with our representatives is essential to addressing the community’s concerns.
Residents are calling for an immediate and comprehensive consultation process to address these concerns. They are requesting detailed plans from the authorities outlining how these critical issues will be managed.
At the meeting it became clear that there had been no consultation with the community.”
Why there was no prior consultation is of major concern to the residents.
We have contacted Minster Helen McEntee’s office for comment and are awaiting a response from her office.
We will update readers as we hear more.
