A company of hopeful refugees in search of a secure place to stay have set up their shelters in Phoenix Park in Dublin, following the recent eviction of migrant encampments from the city hub. Around sixteen shelters were observed in the public park by Friday evening, but the majority of inhabitants had momentarily left the site to take advantage of the midday meal service offered by the Lighthouse charity located on Pearse street.
A refugee man departing the encampment stated that he had reached Dublin on Friday dawn and established his shelter in the park on the counsel of local helpers. This encampment is situated over five kilometres away from the Lighthouse aid services and is six kilometres distant from the International Protection Office where refugees were previously living.
On the previous Wednesday, law enforcement officials removed encampments from Charlemont Place in the southern part of Dublin where approximately 60 global protection applicants had set up their domiciles. Additional metal restrictions were established at the site, supplementing the kilometres of barricades that presently border the Grand Canal to deter individuals from establishing shelters. The agency managing Ireland’s waterways communicated that these barriers will persist until October.
The most recent data from the International Protection Accommodation Services disclose that there are 2,353 men seeking refuge that are without homes and waiting for housing, an increase from 2,228 the preceding week.
When questioned to remark on the impromptu encampment in Phoenix Park, a representative for the Office of Public Works (OPW) stated that setting up camp and parking overnight is “not permitted” within the park limits due to the “health and safety risks and potential harm to these delicate locations.” She observed that the park operates round-the-clock, but most regions of it are unlit during the night and hence not safe. The OPW is collaborating with the Simon Community Outreach team who are currently aiding the affected persons, she added and also noted that the police were on-site. The Department of Integration hadn’t issued a response to a request for a remark at the time of compilation.
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