A group representing asylum-seekers has rejected the suggestion that a video showing a room with 10 beds and no windows in an emergency direct provision centre was staged. The video, which was circulated on social media on Friday evening, was taken inside the East End Hotel in Portarlington. In a statement on Saturday evening, the Department of Justice said the video “appears to have been staged”. Several clips of video footage from inside the room showed a row of beds together, a fire alarm which did not appear to be in working order, and a loose electrical wire hanging from the ceiling. The department has sought to place asylum-seekers in emergency accommodation such as former hotels to alleviate pressure on the direct provision system.

Source: The Irish Times January 05, 2020 18:56 UTC