Large turnout for public meeting opposing Athlone refugee accommodation projectThere was a large turnout at a public meeting in Athlone's Radisson Blu Hotel on Tuesday night, which was organised in opposition to plans to accommodate 1,000 male asylum seekers on a site in the Lissywollen areaApproximately 300 people were in attendance at the meeting, which was organised by a group called Athlone Stands Together. Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena was among those who addressed the gathering and he told the Westmeath Independent there was a lot of annoyance and concern in the air on the night. "I've always stated that Athlone has opened its doors down through the years to help migrants coming into the town. "The people of Athlone stood together to raise their concerns about the ongoing work for the new IPA (international protection applicant) centre currently being built within Athlone." On its 'Athlone Stands Together' Facebook page, the group said it would be organising a peaceful protest outside the Lissywollen site, starting from tomorrow (Friday).

Source: Irish Independent November 07, 2024 19:31 UTC