Locals in Dublin 4 have been shocked at the conditions asylum seekers are facing in Dublin as more set up in tents along the Grand Canal. 

A further encampment of 27 tents has been set up along the Grand Canal after more than 100 were removed yesterday in a multi-agency operation. 

One local told Newstalk she finds the situation “completely unbelievable”. 

“I find I'm totally confused about the whole situation,” she said. 

“Because I have great sympathy for the people coming here but I feel we are not prepared for the burden of the numbers. 

“Never in my life in D4 did I ever think I would witness anything like this.” 

09/05/2024 Dublin, Ireland. Mere hours after being removed from the banks of the Grand Canal, tents belonging to people seeking international protection which have been set up under the Mac Mahon Bridge over the Grand Canal. Photograph: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Chief Reporter Barry Whyte previously spoke to locals near the Grand Canal when over 100 tents were set up in the area. 

“When the tents were pitched on Mount Street, it was more ‘out of sight, out of mind’,” he said.  

“But now this is very visible on Grand Canal – there are hundreds of people walking and cycling to work today.  

“They’re probably seeing this for the first time, returning to work after the Bank Holiday.” 

Asylum seekers in IPAS accommodation

Asylum seekers were moved from the Grand Canal yesterday morning to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS)-designated accommodation. 

The new accommodation will have access to toilets, showers, food, charging points and transport links to Dublin city centre. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris said in Cork today the new accommodation may “look like tents” but they will be safe for asylum seekers. 

“A more safe environment from both in public health point of view from a legal point of view,” he said. 

“I became Taoiseach I think it was 32 days ago, and I've inherited a very challenging situation and I'm determined to provide leadership in relation to this. 

“Since I've been Taoiseach, I've convened on two occasions in multi-agency operations where we brought together all of the agencies that have a responsibility in relation to migration.” 

More tents have also been set up in East Wall and Ringsend. 

Tents being removed along the Grand Canal. 09/05/2024. Image: Newstalk

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast earlier today, Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland National Director Eugene Quinn said he was not surprised to hear the news.  

“I think it’s an inevitable consequence of the current policy of not offering accommodation to people,” he said. 

In the first four months of this year, the number of asylum seekers increased by 95% in comparison to 2023.