Mayo candidate opposed to planned international protection centre in Ballina

Mayo Fine Gael general election candidate and Ballina county councillor Mark Duffy has opposed a potential international protection (IP) site at the former St. Mary’s Secondary School in Ballina.

Councillor Duffy released a statement to The Connaught Telegraph, clarifying that the Taoiseach’s office has denied any plans to use the site for an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre.

The issue arose following a planning notice that appeared on the Mayo County Council’s website, submitted by CH Services Care Limited—a company incorporated just last month, according to business registration site Solocheck.

The notice indicates plans to use the property as temporary accommodation for displaced persons seeking international protection, sparking speculation about a possible new IPAS centre in Ballina.

However, Councillor Duffy’s statement aims to dispel these concerns, asserting that the site is not under government consideration for IP accommodation.

“I have sought clarification on this from the Taoiseach’s office,” Duffy’s statement reads, “and received the following response:

‘IPAS has confirmed that this property is completely unknown to it. There has been no offer, no contact, nor any communication in relation to this property. The provider on the application is not known to IPAS either.’”

The Ballina councillor also expressed his stance on the matter, stating, “It is my opinion that Ballina has taken its fair share of IP applicants, and I do not support this proposal.”

Councillor Duffy further clarified that the planning notice pertains solely to the privately owned former St. Mary’s Secondary School building and not the nearby historic Sisters of Mercy convent building, which is in community ownership.

This distinction is significant, as the former convent and school site are often collectively referred to as “the convent.”

The former school, constructed in 1939, was closed in May 2022 following the completion of a new school facility. Extending to 2,400 square metres across two floors, the structure includes classrooms, laboratories, and offices arranged along central corridors.

It sits on a 2.913-hectare site (7.2 acres) featuring additional undeveloped lands and secure car parking areas.

News of its possible repurposing as temporary accommodation has stirred significant local interest and concern.

For now, however, Duffy’s statement suggests that the proposed use of the site as an IPAS centre lacks government backing.