The protest against the creation of an IPAS accommodation centre at Dundrum House Hotel complex is to continue. The group held a meeting in Dundrum Community Hall on Friday to update on the legal campaign and the operation of the ongoing peaceful protest at the Hotel gate. Patrick McGreal outlined the options for protestors at the gate to ask Garda to examine the documentation being presented by those seeking asylum in Ireland. On July 30th the Government issued a briefing document indicating that 80 vacant spaces in Dundrum House Hotel Complex would be used “shortly” to accommodate people seeking asylum in Ireland.
In addition, there was a proposal at Friday’s meeting for local businesses to withhold VAT as well as Commercial Rates to demonstrate the level of opposition to the creation of an IPAS Centre in the West Tipperary village. Two local Councillors attended – Cllr Roger Kennedy(Fianna Fáil and Cllr Liam Browne(Independent). As of now no meeting has been confirmed with the Taoiseach, Simon Harris, to discuss the Government plan – Cllr John Crosse, Cllr Declan Burgess and Cllr Michael Murphy, all members of Fine Gael, who currently serve as the Chair of the Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District, Tipperary County Council and Mayor of Clonmel respectively, had requested the meeting over two weeks ago. Tipp Mid West Radio has sought an update from all three councillors.
