Mayo hotel hits out over alleged harassment of staff and guests
The Twin Trees Hotel in Ballina has released a statement on social media over alleged harassment and intimidation of guests and staff members by protestors.
The statement from the management of the Twin Trees Hotel and Leisure club outlined: "As publicly known and similar to other accommodation providers in Ballina, the Twin Trees Hotel is currently providing 33 bedrooms for up to 120 people to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to accommodate families seeking international protection.
"We continue to offer tourist accommodation in over 50% of our bedrooms and the leisure club remains open for members.
"The accommodation is currently being used by the department and the families are settling in well.
"Between the months of April and July a protest camp and fire had been erected on the public road opposite the hotel entrance in objection to the use of some bedrooms by the department to accommodate families seeking international protection.
"During this time the hotel and our staff were subjected to numerous incidents of harassment, intimidation and damage.
"These incidents include the breaking of windows with rocks and pellet guns, damage to water and gas mains pipes, blocking of entrances, stopping tourists to ask for identification, rocks being thrown at staff members, verbal abuse of staff, the threatening of both staff and suppliers, abuse of animals and an attempted arson attack.
"The protest camp also attracted a considerable amount of anti-social behaviour including the aiming and firing of fireworks and lasers on tourist accommodation rooms, late night roadside drinking, burning of tyres, loud music and litter.
"On Saturday the protesters reinstated a camp site and a fire on the public roadside.
"It is the view of the hotel that it cannot be allowed to continue due to the non peaceful nature of incidents attracted by the previous camp.
"While we respect the rights of protesters, we also would like to highlight the rights of our staff to attend work without harassment and make a living for themselves and their families.
"We ask that the ability of tourist guests, club members and international protection families to use the hotel and leisure club facilities are not blocked and is respected.
"If you have a booking to stay with us here in Ballina and feel apprehensive about staying due to the protest camp, we offer free cancellation and apologies for any inconvenience in finding new accommodation."