Increase in number of tents pitched beside Dublin canal

There are approximately 80 tents pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin, since more than 100 tents were moved from around the International Protection Office on Mount Street last week.

Many of the people seeking refuge are from Afghanistan, with one man saying he came to Ireland after passing through the UK first.

Others seeking international protection are from Nigeria, South Africa, Pakistan and other parts of the Middle East.

One man from Nigeria said he did not expect to arrive to Ireland and be in a tent, but said he feels safer than if he was in his native country.

He said he understands the difficulties for the Government with large numbers arriving, but is hopeful that accommodation will be secured for them soon.

The number of tents pitched along the canal has been rising since tents were moved from Mount Street.

Most of those sleeping in the tents say they are staying warm, but are having to walk 30 minutes to access toilet and shower facilities.

This morning many are getting ready to walk the short distance to the IPO to find out if there is any update on their situation when the office opens.

They are among 1,700 people currently seeking international protection in Ireland who are without accommodation.

New offers of accommodation are expected to come on stream this week and it is understood that additional capacity has been identified to assist asylum seekers who currently do not have a place to stay.

It is unclear, however, how many places will be made available this week; where they are located and how the asylum seekers will be contacted.

In tandem, the Government is understood to be focusing on acquiring State-owned land in order to set-up tented accommodation for future arrivals.

This is expected to take a number of weeks to complete in order to ensure that adequate facilities are on the new sites.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has already convened a multi-agency and multi-departmental group to overcome any logistical problems.

The reappearance of tents close to Mount Street is politically sensitive, given that Mr Harris told the Dáil last week that what he called “makeshift shanty towns” would not be allowed to develop again.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said yesterday that the Government could not continue to allow almost 1,700 International Protection applicants to be without State provided accommodation.

Labour Party Councillor for Pembroke South East, Dermot Lacey, said that nobody should have to live in the conditions in which men camping along the canal are facing, but that no community should have to live with the consequences of that either.

He said there is a “serious lack of serious leadership at Government level”.

He suggested that the Taoiseach appoint a senior member of the Oireachtas, even on a temporary basis, to deal with the issue.

“We can’t have people living in tents along rivers, streets and paths, whether that be Irish people or asylum seekers,” he said.

Read More: Mount Street shifts focus onto Ireland’s migration policy

Mr Lacey said that alternatives to tents needed to be provided, suggesting currently closed army barracks or hospitals.

“There are 1,700 acres in the Phoenix Park. There are alternatives if there is serious leadership given to deal with this problem,” he added.

He said that the Government was not to blame for the increased number of people seeking asylum in Ireland, but that society had to deal with that in a humane manner.

He added that people queuing up outside the Mount Street office to be seen faster showed the need for reform in the system.

Michael Finlay, the owner of The Punnet on Mount Street, said that a couple of tents had been erected in a laneway behind his shop this morning, which is right next to the International Protection Office.

He said: “The gardaí responded quickly and they were removed within about half an hour. But this has been happening sporadically since the operation on Wednesday [to remove the tents from outside the International Protection Office]. There have been tents springing up here and there, so it’s definitely an ongoing issue.”

Asked about the impact of barriers which have been erected on Mount Street, he said: “Business is not too badly affected in that sense. It’s a bit of an eyesore, but I think everyone will agree in the area that it’s the lesser of two evils that, you know, we’ve got the street back and although it might not look that great, I think people are happy to accept it for the time being.”

Mr Finlay expressed concern that the tents have moved only a short distance away to the Grand Canal.

“It seems like the encampment has just been moved from one area to the next. It’s only a stone’s throw from the shop here along the canal.

“The worry is that if we don’t keep pressure upon the Government and the City Council that this will just again sprawl into something that’s uncontrollable, which is not acceptable for the people in the tents or the residents of the area.

“So we’re a bit concerned again that it has come back so quickly,” he added.

Additional reporting Paul Cunningham