LATEST: Kildare councillor explains stance on Newbridge shelter, says no update on Red House from government

A Kildare-based councillor has elaborated on his stance on the Peter McVerry Trust's (PMT) shelter in Newbridge. 

The announcement follows after it was decided at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting that local councillors would request a meeting with the shelter.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also said that there has been no update from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) regarding the Red House near Naas being used as a potential spot to accommodate displaced Ukrainians. 

Speaking to Kildare FM radio station this morning, he said: "I want to understand the terms and conditions behind the granting of the licence (to PMT's facility in Newbridge)."

He said that while he agrees that Peter McVerry Trust 'provides a very valuable service', he said he took issue with antisocial behaviour being committed by some of its residents on Eyre Street, as well as the wider area of Newbridge as a whole.

"It is upsetting a lot of people, especially nearby residents," he explained.

Cllr Noel Heavey, Fianna Fáil. File Photo

He also suggested that such a programme could be hosted in a State-owned building in Newbridge.

Cllr Heavey added: "(A lot of) people are accepting alcohol and drug abuse (on the streets of Newbridge), but I won't accept that.

"It's not fair, on anyone."

In addition, Cllr Heavey said he had sympathy for those who found themselves homeless, and described homelessness in Ireland as 'the scourge of our times.'

When asked about a potential update on the Red House by host Eoin Beatty, Cllr Heavey revealed that while the owners of the property are open to providing the property to displaced Ukrainians, the DCEDIY has yet to confirm any update in relation to the site's potential functions in the near-future.