Protest over Mosney transfer plan

An estimated 300 asylum seekers held a protest at Mosney this morning over plans to transfer at least 150 residents to hostel-type accommodation in Dublin.

The transfers from the former Butlins holiday centre come as part of a cost-cutting measure by the Department of Justice. The direct-provision system costs some €90 million on an annual basis.

Mosney is contracted by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) to cater for some 800 asylum seekers and has housed asylum seekers since 2001.

At least 150 residents received letters from the RIA last week and transfers are expected to start tomorrow.

Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism was critical of the decision by the department to move the asylum seekers, some of whom, she said, have lived at Mosney for five years.

Ms Flynn called on the department to reconsider the plan and to allow the asylum seekers to stay.

“They have settled here. They have a home here, they have a community here. They have friends in Drogheda. They are integrated and they [the Department of Justice] want to break that up.”