Protests against asylum seekers in Dublin are intimidating vulnerable people who were expecting a much warmer welcome in Ireland, according to the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland.
Protesters have gathered in East Wall for the last two nights voicing opposition to the use of the former ESB office building as an emergency accommodation centre.
Over 300 people protested on Sunday with hundreds more turning out again yesterday and blocking the East Wall Road.
The former office building is being used to provide emergency accommodation for 380 men, women and children who arrived in Ireland seeking international protection.
Locals have complained that there was no consultation before the decision was made; however, concerns have been raised about the involvement of “far right” groups in the protests.
Protests
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, the co-founder of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, Lucky Khambule said he has never seen anything like it since arriving in Ireland ten years ago.
“The protest, to me and to anyone who has been in the system, is a horrendous way to show the welcome here in this country,” he said.
“It is the first time we have seen such. I have been here almost ten years. I came here and I felt welcome where I was. I was in Cork, the community welcomed me - welcomed us - and we have been part of the community since then.
“It is the first time we have seen something like this. This hostility and this anger and this hate that we have seen directed at people that are new in the country and are expecting a much warmer welcome."
Protesters in East Wall, Dublin have blocked the road outside the old ESB building.
The former office building is being used to provide emergency accommodation for 380 men, women and children @NewstalkFM pic.twitter.com/U6RMUUdk6C
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) November 21, 2022
He urged people to remember that asylum seekers do not arrive in Ireland by choice.
“It is not the fault of the people who find themselves in this situation,” he said.
“I see and hear the comments. The comments are vile. The comments are just scary and it is just intimidating vulnerable people.”
Consultation
The Government has said it is engaging with local representatives in the area and will be providing more information directly to the community in the coming days.
Mr Khambule said clearer consultation could have diffused the situation – noting that the same issue caused controversy in Donegal and Kerry in previous years
“The government is facing unprecedented times at this stage because it is an emergency and it is huge numbers that nobody expected,” he said.
“This year we have seen much more than we have seen in 2013 during the Syrian war but in terms of the treatment, we should do better. Everyone should be able to do better.
“From the Government side of things, from the community in terms of acceptance and the divisions as well.”
During the protest there were chants of “get them out”, including some children chanting this.
While another guy shouts “all politicians should be hung”.
While some locals have concerns, there was definitely a nasty streak to this protest. pic.twitter.com/ZoekrfQIvP
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) November 21, 2022
The ESB building is capable of housing 380 people with separate floors for families and single adults.
