Latest news with #InternationalProtectionApplicants
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
New hotel owners dismiss plans for IPAS centre in Meath
In recent weeks, The Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne was purchased by The McDermott Group, which also owns the Ashbourne Court Hotel and the Carnegie Court Hotel in Swords. Owner Richard McDermott issued a statement confirming there were no such plans for an IPAS centre in the 156-room hotel. "I wish to confirm that The Pillo Hotel was recently purchased by the McDermott Group.' 'I also wish to clarify that The Pillo Hotel is not housing any International Protection Applicants nor does it have any plans whatsoever to do so in the future,' Mr McDermott said. 'We remain fully committed to operating as a 4 star Hotel in all markets and contrary to recent social media speculation, we will not be accepting IPAS now or in the future.' 'The recent speculation on the hotel and the false and misleading rumours regarding same have been and furthermore can be very harmful to our business and very disruptive and unsettling to all of our 150+ staff.' 'We wish to clarify and hereby commit to the following... There are massive and exciting plans ahead to invest in the property. We have already engaged the relevant specialists to assist us refurbish all of our bedrooms, expand our leisure club gym space including replacing all gym equipment and enhance our bar and restaurant.' 'As the new owners of The Pillo Hotel we would like to ensure both the local and national communities of our intent to deliver and improve the present and successful offering at The Pillo Hotel.' The statement added: 'We look forward to building and producing continued success and greatly appreciate the support of all of our guests and patrons." In correspondence to elected members, Meath County Council confirmed it had received no approach from the Department of Justice on the matter. 'Regarding the purchase of the Pillo Hotel and the potential conversion into an IPAS centre. It is important to clarify that this is a matter for the property owner and the Department of Justice, Meath County Council's position is not to comment on speculation or on commercial transactions or decisions made by the Department of Justice,' the local authority said. 'We can however confirm that Meath Council Council has not received any correspondence from the Department in relation to the Pillo Hotel being used for IPAS accommodation.' Ashbourne councillor Helen Meyer said: 'This is positive news. The hotel is vital and integral to our town and the surrounding areas.' 'I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be cautious about the sources of their news. There are people online who spread misinformation deliberately and without facing any consequences. Such unverified information can have a damaging impact on our community,' she added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Proposal to re-zone land around controversial Tipperary hotel could stop IPAS centre plans
At the July meeting of Tipperary County Council, councillors Liam Browne and Mary Hanna Hourigan tabled a notice of motion that the local authority consider a variation of the county development plan to extend the borders of the village of Dundrum to include Dundrum House Hotel and the land around it. The county Tipperary hotel has been the subject of controversy since it was announced that International Protection Applicants would be housed there, despite planning and infrastructure issues at the site. Last month, Tipperary County Council announced that they would not contest a judicial review of the Dundrum House Section 5 declaration. A Section 5 declaration under the Planning and Development Act 2000 is a direction issued by a planning authority determining that a specific development may be considered 'exempted development' and therefore does not require certain planning permissions. At the July plenary meeting, Cllrs Browne and Hourigan tabled the motion to extend the village boundaries to include the historic hotel, and that the land it sits on be zoned for tourism and leisure, as well as amenity and conservation. It is believed that Government plans to use the site as a 'super IPAS centre' similar to the Citywest Hotel in Dublin are being examined, and that the proposed boundary and zoning change at Dundrum would prevent this from happening. If the land was successfully re-zoned, it would then be illegal to house IPAS clients at Dundrum House Hotel. 31 councillors at the county council meeting voted to support the motion, which will now see a management report drawn up on how the boundary changes might be carried out. It emerged earlier this year that a contract had been signed to house 277 IPAS clients at the hotel, prompting local protests outside the hotel's gates. The contract had been awarded to a company called Utmasta Limited, a newly formed private company incorporated in Spain in January of this year. The company lists a single director, Ms Ana Maria Fernandez Sanchez, and had a declared capital of just €120.
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Developer appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála to convert former Wexford convent into IPAS centre
Enniscorthy Guardian An appeal has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála by a developer hoping to turn a former Co Wexford convent into accommodation for International Protection Applicants. Flodale Group Ltd have appealed to the planning authority to allow them to convert the former Mercy Convent in Enniscorthy into an IPAS centre following a ruling by the local Wexford authority.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
No plans for former Tipperary convent to house asylum seekers
In a post on social media, Labour Party councillor Michael 'Chicken' Brennan said that there are no plans to house International Protection Applicants (IPAs) in Ballingarry's Old Convent. Cllr Brennan said that following conversations with the owners of the Old Convent, Ballingarry, outside Thurles, he can confirm that the property is not being examined for use as an IPAS centre. The Labour Party councillor also said that there has been no offer of accommodation made, and that the Department of Justice are not examining the property for use. "After talking to the owners yesterday evening of the Old Convent, Ballingarry, Thurles that no offer of accommodation has been received and the Department within IPAS are not examining the property for use,' Cllr Brennan wrote on social media. "I would request people to be calm and not spread misinformation with regard to this premises,' Cllr Brennan added. Two years ago, Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for use as tourist accommodation. The plans at the time gave the green light for seven dwellings made up of a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom houses, with a digital hub proposed for an existing school room while the disused chapel would be converted to a community building. Those plans would also see the old Presentation National school converted to a café and showroom.
Irish Independent
15-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Kerry gardaí investigate alleged security breach at Ballymullen Barracks
The incident was reported on June 8 at approximately 12 noon. Ballymullen is home to around 50 International Protection Applicants (IPAS) since December 2024. The Kerryman understands the individual started recording while walking across the main yard of the barracks and through to the living quarters. Images of a person walking the corridors can be seen while knocking on doors and talking with residents. A security guard then instructs the person to leave the premises as Ballymullen Barracks is private property. The incident was reported to the guards who say its investigations are ongoing. The Department of Integration has since publicly stated it takes the safety of IPAS residents seriously.
