Dublin-based firm plans to turn former Mayo pub into emergency accommodation
There are plans to turn the pub into emergency accommodation for International Protection applicants.
A Dublin-based company aims to turn a Mayo pub into accommodation for International Protection applicants.
A planning application has been lodged with Mayo County Council for the change of use of a pub in Castlebar into emergency accommodation.
Shakeview Ltd, have applied for the change of use of the Connaught Inn and ancillary accommodation located on Spencer Street in Castlebar to emergency accommodation for persons seeking international protection.
The Connaught Inn closed in June 2022 and since December 2022, the adjoining building, 99 Spencer Street, which is attached to the Connaught Inn, has been used as emergency accommodation for persons seeking international protection. Since then, the Connaught Inn provides cooking, dining, internal recreational space and external space for the occupants on the site.
In September 2024, the owners proposed to provide an internal access route from 99 Spencer Street directly into the Connaught Inn hotel for occupants accessing kitchen and amenities. They applied to Mayo County Council for exempted development to be applied to existing emergency accommodation located at 99 Spencer St, Castlebar but the council found it was not exempted development.
A decision from the council on the application is expected next month.
The provision of accommodation for refugees has been a contentious issues in a number of towns in the county with protests previously taking place in Ballina and Ballinrobe.
