A community group in Miltown Malbay have rejected the findings of investigations by the Department of Justice into the Central Hostel which currently acts a Direct Provision Centre.

Members of the Miltown Malbay Welcome Group have claimed the findings of the investigation by the Department of Justice are “untrue”. They maintain that water is running down the walls of bedrooms and that rodents have been spotted in the facility. Other concerns relating to the health and safety have also been raised by the group.

Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan last week stated, “I am advised that there was no evidence of any rodent activity or water leaking on the day my official visited. When questioned by my official on these matters, the owner confirmed that a resident had reported mice in his room in February. The owner engaged a pest control company who could not find any evidence of rodents. They subsequently monitored the room for three weeks and could not find any evidence of rodents. Regarding the water, I am advised that the owner confirmed that an incident occurred some months ago where water was leaking from a bath/shower on the second floor into a bedroom on the first floor. It was reported to him by the residents in the room and he sought to engage a plumber,” the letter continued.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, the Miltown Malbay Welcome Group claimedthat the Central Hostel is “not fit for purpose”. The letter went on to say that through “direct, first-hand and ongoing daily experience with the men living there and those who have lived there over the last year” has led to question marks over the provision of basic essentials in the accommodation.

“As a community that welcomed and benefited greatly from the arrival of a vibrant group of young men last year, we are not prepared to stay silent and have them mistreated”.

They described the investigation from the Department as a “white-washing response”. “Our group has nothing to gain and no agenda other than the wellbeing of the men involved and the desire to see them treated properly by our state, our community and those paid handsomely to accommodate them”.

Mixed views have been expressed by locals on the treatment of Direct Provision residents with a sizeable amount of Miltown Malbay residents welcoming the findings from the Department investigation.

However, members of the Welcome Group have said it has been “extremely stressful” to highlight their concerns with The Central Hostel. Individuals involved have said they have received “personal abuse” and anonymous letters to their homes. “We stand by all of the concerns that we raised”.

Related News

Supermacs-Plaza
New legal challenge against €10m Supermac's Plaza makes 'mockery of planning system'
conor mckenna 1
'Secretaries have been papering over the cracks from Dept under-funding' - Inch principal issues support to workers on strike
mobile banking 1
Phishing scam under investigation in Ennis
pamela mccarthy scoil chríost rí 1
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
Latest News
sixmilebridge v whitegate 28-08-22 16 conor whelan
Strong finish helps Whitegate edge Bodyke in thriller
éire óg v st josephs miltown 20-08-23 gavin murray darragh mcdonagh eoin o'brien 1
Collisions on course following senior, intermediate & junior football quarter-final draws
pamela mccarthy scoil chríost rí 1
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
shannon airport giveaway 2
Shannon Airport giving away 80 flights during month of September
kilmihil v ennistymon 01-08-25 joey rouine 1
'We won't be afraid of anyone' - excitement building in Ennistymon for Clare SFC quarter-finals
Premium
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
'We won't be afraid of anyone' - excitement building in Ennistymon for Clare SFC quarter-finals
Coolmeen claim last Clare IFC quarter-final spot with dramatic finish
'Hard-fought wins' for Cratloe has paved way to quarter-finals
Clare PIHC: Tulla draw knocks out Killanena, Tubber thump Parteen/Meelick & Magpies fall to another shock defeat

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.