The eviction of a number of refugee families from an accommodation centre in Borrisokane will not go ahead today.
Six families who had been granted asylum here were due to be relocated to Birr as the Department of Integration want to move in International Protection Applicants.
This had met with considerable opposition from residents in the town who pointed out that the families had been there since 2019 and become part of the local community with the children attending school there.
Local TD Alan Kelly has been vocal in his support for the campaign which culminated in hundreds of people taking part in a rally in Borrisokane last night.
He says for now people-power has won out.
“That would have been scandalous. This is the greatest example of integration in Ireland. It is something that should be used as a template across Ireland.
“You can’t say you’re bringing people into the country, you’re giving them status and then you’re going to move them on. That is not integration when you have young children in school, when you’ve young children who don’t know anything else but where they have been brought up. Where you have people involved in community, in sporting organisations and who are making contributions to the local economy and also to their local community.”
Deputy Kelly says the effort to allow the families remain in Borrisokane has to continue.
“Minister O’Gorman has relented and has now said he will work with Tipperary County Council and other agencies to find solutions for these residents.
“I demand that the Minister ensures that his department sits down with local representatives, with Tipperary County Council and other relevant agencies to work through these issues and ensure the people who are in the Riverside apartments stay in Borrisokane, live in Borrisokane, thrive in Borrisokane and the children grow up in Borrisokane.
