BREAKING: Kildare residents stage street protest against planned arrival of asylum seekers
A peaceful protest took place in Sallins this evening over the possible arrival of asylum seekers to the town.
About 80 people of all ages - and a handful of household pets - participated in the good humoured protest, which started at the traffic lights near the Railway Inn pub and the Pizza Dog premises.
The demonstration later moved to The Waterways.
The protest was organised after news emerged that a hotel planned for The Waterways site, but which never opened, could become a venue for people who've left various countries claiming persecution.
The offer of the hotel was made through a request for tender for "Bespoke Panel Agreement for the Provision of Accommodation Services and Related Services for Persons Seeking International Protection" which was published by the government late last year.
Local TD James Lawless received this information on September 11 in response to a parliamentary question to Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman. He then shared it on to his constituents in his newsletter.
Some of the participants carried placards reading “Sallins Says No” and "Sallins Says No To Unvetted Men.”
Another bore the message “Stop. We do not consent. This is a planned invasion on the community of Sallins. On the land of Éire. This is not acceptable."
“We are dealing with enough crises in our own country. My fear is that they (people who may arrive) are unvetted. Our safety cannot be guaranteed by the gardaí,” said local woman Ciara Timmons.
There was never any hint of trouble at the demonstration and just two gardaí attended - an inspector and a sergeant.
No public representatives were present.
However, Dep Lawless said he is deeply frustrated at the lack of coherent communication on the proposal.
He said these centres are arranged directly between the owners and the government - and TDs and councillors are not involved the process.
He said he has spoken to Minister O’Gorman, agencies like the county council and gardai as well as the property owners. He said he has passed on the concerns of residents to the owners.
He said similar centres have opened or will open in at least six other Kildare towns.