There was a bit of an argy bargy at the monthly Council meeting this week with contrasting views on the treatment of refugees coming to Ireland and in particular the secrecy and lack of information forthcoming from the Department of Justice.
A number of refugees have recently arrived in Rathdowney but no one seems to know from where, how many or how long, according the Cllr Brendan Phelan.
He said that everyone wanted what was best for these refugees but it was impossible to find out any information as to who or where they are from. The local speculation is that they are the refugees that were assigned to Laois from Syria.
But Director of Services for Housing, Mr Michael Rainey disabused councillors of this notion. He said that the Syrian refugee families totalling 110 people were due in Laois in September and these were being accommodated under the Syrian Refugee Project in Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Portarlington in co-operation with the Department of Justice and with Clúid voluntary housing association.
“We are not involved at all in Rathdowney, these are not Syrians as far as I am aware but other nationalities. We have no further information on that the Council is not involved at all.
“That is part of the Direct Provision system, which we’re not involved. We have no details at all on anything that’s happening in Rathdowney,” explained Mr Rainey.
The Chairman John King said that his understanding was that the situation in Rathdonwey was an overflow from the centre in Abbeyleix and that is temporary.
“Well that’s the first we’ve heard of it and there’s absolutely nothing in Rathdowney for them, it’s not fair on them,” asserted Cllr Phelan, who again decried the lack of any proper information or consultation.
“It’s only temporary,” maintained Cllr King.
“How long is temporary, how long is a piece of string,” responded Cllr Phelan, insisting that the local community should have been engaged just as happened in Abbeyleix.
“How long are they in the Montague,” asked Cllr Willie Aird, the implication being that was also supposed to be temporary.
Cllr Phelan said that the refugees needed to be helped as much as possible and local people wanted to do that, but to achieve that you need information and consultation, so as to stop speculation. How many refugees are coming, 17 or 70, he asked?
Cllr Phelan revealed that he had tried to be discreet on the issue. He had written to the Minister for Justice in March seeking information and to date had not even received a reply.
“We need to stop the speculation. This is the first I heard of it today that they are not Syrians and that the Council has nothing to do with it. Where are the facilities for them? That premises they are in is only partially rebuilt following a fire. It was never used before for accommodation or even a B&B. What about integration, language supports, are they going to the local schools. It’s a very small premises, what’s going on,” Cllr Phelan rattled off his concerns.
Cllr Tom Mulhall said that there was no consultation either when the asylum seekers first showed up in the Montague Hotel, next to where he lives. “Since 2007 they live there, they stay there and they don’t interfere with anyone,” he said, apparently trying to offer some reassurance.
But that’s not the way it went down.
Cllr Pauline Madigan said she was appalled. “What about their mental health. I am genuinely concerned for these people.
“I have met a woman out there who came here from Nigeria, a qualified doctor, still there after 11 years, just sitting there like in a mental institution, unable to look after herself much less anyone else,” stated a visibly upset Cllr Madigan.
Cllr Brendan Phelan said that’s what he was warning about and what about the young children.
“They’re not infringing on the community or anybody, that’s all, that’s the point I was making,” explained Tom Mulhall.
“What’s that mean, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. They should be part of the community,” retorted Cllr Madigan.
Cllr Mulhall said they had been accepted and welcomed into the local schools and he had been part of that process.
Cllr Padraig Fleming was supportive of his colleague’s Cllr Madigan’s outlook. He said these families are from war torn countries seeking a new life and trying to move on.
The direct provision in locations like the Montague are very sad places, not good for their mental health and difficult places to be on a long-term basis. He recognised the support of the local schools.
“I simply don’t want to see someone stuck in Rathdowney in ten years’ time. I am just looking for a small bit of information to try stop the local speculation as to why these refugees who no one knows anything about have been stuck in a corner.
“I have seen two young lads about 18 or 20 years of age wandering around the town and wondering where they have been landed, it’s not fair on them,” argued Cllr Phelan.
“When I pass the people from the Montague I always say good morning and good evening,” continued Cllr Mulhall.
“Tom, that’s not enough, that’s exactly what I’m talking about,” replied Cllr Phelan, decrying the Department of Justice for the secrecy and failure to engage at all with the local community in Rathdowney.
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