Mitchell Street in Thurles will not be getting an IPAS accommodation centre, according to two TDs in Tipperary North who say they’ve gotten assurances from the Department of Integration.
There was widespread local condemnation of the proposal after it emerged this week that a ‘Section 5’ planning exemption had been granted for a former furniture showroom on Mitchell Street.
The developer Kilbrin Homes intended to convert the building to house up to 81 asylum seekers.
Thurles TD Michael Lowry says the owner of the site on Mitchell Street has now withdrawn the offer to become an IPAS centre.
IN a statement to TippFM he said:
”When we first learned of an application to accommodate displaced persons seeking international protection at a property located in Mitchel Street, Cllr. Micheal and myself immediately issued a statement stating clearly that this property was unsuitable for the intended purpose and that we would oppose the proposal.
”I gave an undertaking to establish the facts and decide on a course of action. Over the past few days I have had extensive interactions with the Minister, Dept Officials and the owner of Kilbrin Homes Ltd.
”I conveyed the absolute shock and dismay of the numerous people in the area who contacted us about this issue. I outlined a catalogue of valid and legitimate reasons as to why this proposal was unacceptable and should not proceed.
”I’m pleased to confirm that after these discussions Kilbrin Homes Ltd. have agreed to withdraw their application. This property will NOT become an IPAS centre.”
A second ‘Section 5’ exemption was granted on Friday for a property on Friar St that is currently home to a number of Ukrainians but the owners have insisted that it will not be used for International Protection Applicants.
Fianna Fail TD Ryan O’Meara says that a previous offer to IPAS for this site was refused last month.
A public meeting planned by Cllr Jim Ryan for next Thursday to discuss the issue has now been called off. Cllr Ryan is thanking the people of Thurles for standing together on this issue.
