Hundreds protest opening of Direct Provision centre for over 100 refugees at former hotel

Over 200 people have protested the opening of a Direct Provision centre for more than 100 asylum seekers at a former hotel. 

According to RTÉ, the protest took place in the Co Waterford town of Lismore ahead of the scheduled arrival of 69 people seeking international protection in Ireland, with more expected in February and March. 

Approximately 7% of the town - which has a population of just over 1,300 - will be made up of people in Direct Provision if plans go ahead. 

Groups of families and single women are reportedly due to be accommodated in Lismore House Hotel, which closed in 2016, however people have expressed concern about the lack of consultation between the government and the community. 

Locals have also vocalised disappointment that the hotel is not reopening to the public despite word to the contrary. 

Over 200 people have attended a protest in Lismore against the opening of a Direct Provision centre for up to 117 asylum seekers in a hotel premises | More: https://t.co/C76kkBe4gC pic.twitter.com/16uioNGyAK

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 29, 2023

Shop-owner and member of the Lismore Social and Economic Community Group, Joanne Roche, told RTÉ News people had hoped the building would re-open as a hotel and said residents were unhappy "at how this has all come to the surface". 

She said, "As a community, we're a heritage town - tourism is our livelihood, we rely on it for the successful economy of the town. 

"We just feel as a community very much uninformed and we're just worried about the impact it will have on Lismore as a community and as a tourist town." 

New hotel logos began to appear on social media in August 2021, creating buzz among locals about an impending opening promised in "late 2021 and early 2022". 

A comment posted on the hotel's Facebook page by an administrator appeared in June 2021 stating: "The Hotel will be under going an extensive refurbishment program over the next few months with an opening date of November 2021. We look forward to meeting all the people of Lismore and creating a lot of local jobs." 

The page posted a photo of a 'SOLD' sign in July 2021 with text stating: "And so the next chapter begins. Ireland’s Oldest Purpose Built Hotel will be under going a major refurbishment over the next few months to re- open November 2021." 

Planning documents submitted to Waterford County Council in December 2021 detailed changes to the hotel sought by MCHT unlimited company. 

Changes included the construction of an extension to the hotel, alterations to windows and the change of use from nightclub to café/retail space. 

According to an article in The Avondhu in February 2022, planning documents stated the changes would allow the hotel to cater for weddings and "all other local life events". 

Documents reportedly read: "The proposed works will enhance its service offering and adapt to the changing trends in the hotel market in Munster and Ireland over the last number of years with the owners committed to driving tourism in Waterford and supporting local, from sourcing local produce to hiring locally." 

It is understood the application was withdrawn this month (January 18, 2023). 

Image: RTÉ still