Ballinrobe hotel site to be used for refugee families, not single men, following protests

James Cox

The site of a former hotel in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, will now be used to house refugee families and women, following a number of protests.

The former JJ Gannon’s Hotel on Main Street in Ballinrobe had been earmarked to accommodate 50 international protection applicants.

Fifty adult male asylum seekers would have been accommodated across 12 rooms under the plans.

However, the Department of Integration has now confirmed a change of plan for the use of the building.

"The Department’s contract for accommodation in Ballinrobe to provide temporary shelter to International Protection applicants in JJ Gannon’s Hotel is proceeding. It is intended that up to 50 people in need of shelter will be accommodated at the premises.

"While initially earmarked for adult males, there is now an acute shortage of accommodation for families and children and it is now intended to place families into this property over the coming days.

"A full briefing document with details was issued to local TDs, Cllrs, and Senators on January 4. This was done by the Department's Community Engagement Team in advance of the accommodation being used.

"Emergency centres such as this one in Ballinrobe have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been over 190 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties. These options must be considered to prevent homelessness for people arriving seeking international protection."

Speaking to RTÉ, Frank Keane, the chairman of the town's Community Development Council, said the protest would now conclude.

He added that there had been calls by "someone he doesn't recognise" for it to continue.