Lismore

2023 - 1 - 30

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Irish Times"

Lismore group welcoming refugees cites potential economic benefit ... (The Irish Times)

Campaigners mount counter-demonstration after Sunday's protest against use of defunct hotel for emergency accommodation.

“There seems to a common thread in all these cases and that’s that local communities are not being consulted. They will probably spend more so I don’t think the economic argument holds water at all.” She instanced businesses like pharmacies, hardware stores and hairdressers as ones that would not benefit from such visitors. “We counteracted them the last time and proved that Lismore is a very welcoming place when we raised €10,000 locally to support the Syrian family and I would be very hopeful that the people of Lismore will respond in a similar way this time by welcoming these new arrivals We only started a few days ago and already we have over 30 members without any real effort to recruit people,” she said. So the Government has an emergency on its hands.”

Anger in Lismore over lack of consultation for direct provision centre ... (Irish Examiner)

The planned transformation of a former hotel in Lismore into a direct provision centre has sparked anger in the community, with locals criticising the lack ...

The TD said the new arrivals “deserved to be welcomed” and he was sure that in due course the children would “integrate into local schools, the GAA, partake in art competitions, and become part of the fabric of our community”. He said a direct provision centre in Lismore was now a “fait accompli” and regardless of all other aspects, “67 very vulnerable women and children” would shortly be arriving “in a very traumatised state”. Earlier in the day, Waterford Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh told WLR radio that a “huge strain on the system” contributed to the Government’s failure to consult with Lismore locals in advance of announcing the direct provision accommodation. In December 2021, MCHT, a limited company with an address in Killarney, submitted a planning application to construct an extension and for a “change of use of nightclub to cafe/retail space”. [ the Government](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/) of operating a “smoke and mirrors” approach. The planned transformation of a former hotel in Lismore into a direct provision centre has sparked anger in the community, with locals criticising the lack of consultation from Government.

Residents in Lismore protest against use of town's refurbished hotel ... (thejournal.ie)

Over 200 people reportedly gathered yesterday for a demonstration in the west Waterford town, arguing that the building had been earmarked for tourism.

They have genuine concerns about a town that they’ve lived and as I said, there are economic reasons as to why the hotel opening would be so beneficial to not alone.” It’s a bit unfair I suppose that we’re pointing at Lismore, I know there are similar situations across the country as well. “It’s probably a 10% increase in the population of Lismore in one fell swoop, where GP services and other services are already under pressure, like even the locals are finding it hard to get GP appointments as at this stage. “The frustration as well in this instance that this is a town with lots of vacant properties,” he said, with people preferring to see it reopen for tourism rather than as a reception centre. Integration Minister Joe O’Brien he said he believed the community in Lismore were not concerned about the asylum seekers coming to live in the town, but the “loss of this totemic building” in its centre. “The reality is like it’s not about the asylum seekers coming to Lismore, but it is the hotel that is the centre of the town,” he told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One.

Hundreds in Lismore attend protest over plans to house asylum ... (Waterford News and Star)

HUNDREDS of people turned out on the streets of Lismore on Sunday to voice their concerns over plans to use the town's hotel as a direct provision centre.

The resident breakdown is families and single women, and no single males are set to be housed at the centre. We’re worried about the impact that this will have on Lismore both as a community, and a tourist town.” Locals have expressed their anger that there was no consultation with them on the issue, and believe the loss of the town’s hotel will prove a significant blow.

'We have no voice": Hundreds gather in Lismore to protest the loss ... (WLR FM)

Hundreds of people attended a peaceful protest in Lismore town centre yesterday which took place on foot of the news that the former Lismore House Hotel is ...

People have invested and reinvested into their businesses on the back of our belief that the hotel was going to be re-opened as a hotel by this summer. Speaking to WLR News, members of the public said the town will always be welcoming to those who have left their homes during times of strife, but they have serious concerns over what is next for tourism-centred town, without a hotel for accommodation. Hundreds of people attended a peaceful protest in Lismore town centre yesterday which took place on foot of the news that the former Lismore House Hotel is to be turned into a Direct Provision centre. He said: "I've been living here for 35 years and I just took it upon myself to give the town of Lismore a voice because at the moment, it doesn't appear as though we have one. they've taken the decision out of people's hands and they've decided to put a Direct Provision system into the middle of Lismore. This was pushed out to early 2022 and new logos were designed for the intended new venture.

Hundreds protest opening of Direct Provision centre for over 100 ... (TipperaryLive.ie)

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 p...

We look forward to meeting all the people of Lismore and creating a lot of local jobs." Ireland’s Oldest Purpose Built Hotel will be under going a major refurbishment over the next few months to re- open November 2021." 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