North Mayo premises will not house refugees, council told
Cllr Seamus Weir said there had been 'rumours' locally.
There are no plans to house asylum seekers in a building in the North Mayo village of Attymass, members of Mayo County Council were told last week.
Independent Cllr Seamus Weir said local people were concerned about rumours around the issue and he has been "inundated" with enquiries.
“Locals in Attymass contacted me and said they heard that there are going to be refugees in the area,” he told the monthly meeting of the council. “It is being spread around and people are talking about it and they are being told that refugees are going to a certain place in Attymass."
Noting that communication is very important, Cllr Weir asked Tom Gilligan, Director of Services, if there was any substance behind the speculation.
However, Fine Gael Cllr Neil Cruise then interjected and said he had made enquiries and had an update on that matter.
“In relation to talk of a premises in Attymass being used, I have been in contact with the owners of that premises and they want to clarify it here that they are not in any negotiations with the Department of Integration in relation to that premises.”
Last month, the council passed a motion to withdraw cooperation with the Department of Integration over the housing of asylum seekers.
