'Concerned Locals' collective calls for more communication over asylum accommodation

More communication and more transparency, in relation to International Protection applicants being accommodated in Boyle, was called for at a public meeting, last Friday night.

Boyle Concerned Locals, “a collective of concerned locals who are invested in the wellbeing of Boyle”, and who are not aligned to any political party, called the meeting in St Joseph’s Hall, in a bid to hear the voices of the community and to get some answers from elected representatives.

The group highlighted that the concern “stems from a genuine worry about the ability of Boyle to accommodate the rising population.

“Already faced with challenges, our town grapples with a shortage of essential facilities such as doctors, dentists, schools, housing, and other crucial amenities,” the group said.

“As community members, we fear for the strain on the housing situation and local services that are already stretched thin.”

A spokesperson added: “As a community, we deserve to know what International Protection accommodations are planned for Boyle.”

The meeting heard that a number of apartments, on the town’s Green St, are currently being used to accommodate 18 people.

The meeting was informed that most of them have been in Ireland for six months.

The question was posed as to how the local community “was supposed to welcome them and help them integrate into the community when we don’t even know where they are from?”

The spokesperson said that the group was only interested in putting out factual information and the next step is to arrange another public meeting, possibly in January.