Residents of Inch say their peaceful protest will continue until the Government overturns its decision to locate Asylum Seekers at Magowna House.
Their demonstration has entered its fourth day this morning as locals continue to work in shifts to man a road block at both access points to the hotel.
There are currently 29 International Protection Applicants being hosted at Magowna House in Inch following their arrival to the rural Mid Clare facility on Monday.
The development has led to the erection of a blockade by protesting residents who feel the states failure to engage, has not allowed the community to adequately prepare for a significant population influx in an area under resourced and lacking in suitable infrastructure.
In matters pertaining to the building itself, locals fear issues surrounding a valid fire certificate and sewerage render the site unsafe for its new inhabitants.
A daily bus service to and from Ennis town has since been introduced for the Asylum Seekers while the Department have offered assurance that issues relating to the fire certificate will be resolved in the next fortnight.
Meanwhile Minister For Integration Roderic O’Gorman stated he would be willing to meet a delegation of community representatives although, stipulating the engagement would have to take place virtually or at Department headquarters.
In a statement last night Community spokesperson, Agnes O’Malley says the groups peaceful protest will continue before extending an invitation to the Minister to take in the facility & its environs for himself.
An Asylum Seeker at Magowna House says he does not feel threatened by the presence of local demonstrators.
Ismail David Ismail is seeking asylum from his home country Somalia, which is currently engulfed in a civil war between the Federal Government & The Islamic State.
The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis in the East-African nation resulting in the displacement of over 3 million Somali nationals.
Speaking to reporters, Ismail says he is looking forward to making new friends and forging an optimistic future in Clare.
Listen to the audio below
