‘Peaceful protest’ planned for Castlerea called off
Activity has been observed outside the Castlerea apartments in recent weeks.
A protest planned for Castlerea on Sunday afternoon has been called off. The group behind the “peaceful protest” took the action earlier today following what it termed the spreading of misinformation.
Recent developments surrounding the refurbishment of a building at the Riverside apartments in Castlerea to accommodate International Protection Applicants have stirred confusion and concern among the residents of Castlerea.
Responding to these sentiments, a group of concerned locals gathered on Monday, May 13th, to peacefully express their apprehensions. “The resilience and growth of Castlerea over the years owes much to the concerted efforts of local volunteers, TDs, councillors, the Town Team, and committees. These dedicated individuals have shaped a community worth defending,” said a spokesperson for the group.
“However, the events since Monday evening have, unfortunately led to misinformation, and the emergence of a separate group. It is crucial to clarify that the majority of people from Castlerea neither condone nor associate with any form of racism or threats. Our town has embraced diversity, and newcomers have integrated seamlessly, feeling welcomed and valued. Our message to the government is clear and direct: Castlerea needs additional infrastructure to accommodate a large group of new residents, regardless of their background,” added the spokesperson.
“Without adequate housing, services, education, and healthcare facilities, the town's resources are already stretched thin. Therefore, we urge the government not to impose a substantial influx of people onto a small rural community without first providing the essential support and services they require.
“In light of these developments, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the planned protest scheduled for Sunday, May 19th. We, the local people of Castlerea, refuse to witness a repetition of the unrest experienced in other parts of our country.
“Our community rejects any attempts to cause fear and unrest, and we refuse to allow any individuals with an alternative agenda to infiltrate our peaceful demonstration. Instead, we entrust our local politicians with the responsibility of conveying our concerns to the government. We implore them to seek factual evidence and advocate for responsible decision-making on behalf of the Castlerea community. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate these challenging circumstances,” the spokesperson concluded.
