Asylum seekers who were sleeping in tents outside the International Protection Office (IPO) have been moved to alternative accommodation. 

According to a spokesperson from the Department of Integration, the Department has offered alternative shelter to all International Protection applicants camped at Mount Street. 

“All those who accepted the offer will be provided tented accommodation at a site in Crooksling, where food, personal toiletries, toilet and shower facilities are also available,” they said. 

Dublin City Council has confirmed that the site at Mount Street will be cleaned following the removal of the tents currently there. 

Photos and video footage show abandoned tents on the street have been damaged or slashed with knives after the asylum seekers had been moved.

The Department spokesperson said: “The situation in relation to accommodation remains very challenging.” 

“The supply of available accommodation is severely diminished.

“What accommodation can be opened is primarily being utilised for families in order to avoid women and children becoming homeless.” 

An abandoned tent outside the International Protection Office previously used by an asylum seeker that has been slashed. Photo by Rory Chinn

Social Rights Ireland (SRI) previously said approximately 270 asylum sleepers were sleeping rough at the IPO. 

Over 1,000 asylum seekers are without accommodation in the State, with growing numbers camping outside the IPO on Mount Street in the capital. 

SRI spokesperson Róisín McAleer previously told Newstalk conditions at the IPO were a big concern. 

"There is no toilet at the IPO camp for asylum seekers, there is no running water," she said. 

"We are supplying tents, sleeping bags, clothes and food in a desperate attempt to stave off death outside the IPO. 

"People are sick. There is an outbreak of scabies and respiratory illnesses at the camp.” 

On X, Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin noted it “should never have taken an outbreak of disease to get to this point”. 

Main image: Abandoned tents previously used by asylum seekers outside the International Protection Office, 16/03/2024. Image: Rory Chinn