In what has been a challenging time for the local community at the proposed site
to house International Protection Applicants( IPA) at Thornton Hall,
yesterday all local councillors were updated with an extensive letter outlining
what will now happen. There will be a meeting next week, the exact date and venue has still
to be announced. The letter states;
”The Community Engagement Team (CET) will meet again with community representatives, with
the support of the Local Development Company, during week of 12 August.
The Community Engagement Team is available to respond to queries via
community@equality.gov.ie.”
The department confirms the following facts;
The site will house up to 1000 male persons who have been granted International Protection.
The area will be fenced off on 35 acre’s of the 160 acres land. In the document the Department of
Integration states;
” What facilities will be at the centre?
The goal is to deliver high performance UNICEF tents on site that can
accommodate up to 1000 people. Tented accommodation is viewed as a short-term
solution, allowing DCEDIY more time to source alternatives, including modular units.
Accommodation will be provided on a phased basis starting with 6 accommodation
tents and 6 for ancillary services. These tents will accommodate 40 people.
Phase 2 will accommodate approximately 440 people.
A fully catered service will be provided including three meals offered to all residents
every day. Snacks and tea/coffee stations will be available to residents 24/7.
The contractor will provide a sufficient number of eco-toilets and shower blocks for
residents.
Waste water and sewage will be removed from the site on a scheduled basis.
How will the centre be managed?
The contractors staff will be present 24/7.
The House Rules explains how the centre is managed to centre residents.
All accommodation centres for people seeking international protection have security
protection.
There is and will continue to be a security presence on the site. A fence will be
erected around the perimeter of the accommodation centre.
All centre residents are free to come and go from the centre, as they wish, but they
must sign in and out with security.
Centre residents will use XX GATE to come and go from the centre.”
In its briefing it goes on to make reference to the problems they have faced from local opposition where
they say
”Protesters have maintained a consistent presence at both gates on the site. Encampments are
making it extremely difficult for required works to be carried out. Serious incidents that have been
carried out on site by bad actors include:
Animal cruelty
Persistent verbal threats and objects thrown at individuals trying to work on the site.
Stalking of security personnel.
We expect it will take 4 – 5 weeks from when works begin until the first tents are ready for
people.
As this is a developing story we will update readers with comment from local councillors in Meath.
