The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
CLARE TD Cathal Crowe said that there has been some disquiet in the Meelick area after a man involved in a violent incident at a direct provision centre in Kerry was granted bail, on condition that they reside at the centre in Meelick.
“A few locals have been on to me about it and are not happy. This morning I contacted the Chief Superintendent’s Office at Henry Street in Limerick and asked him for clarification on this. I’ve also asked that they would have some oversight of this,” said Deputy Crowe.
Deputy Crowe said that there is a need to be careful about the accommodation of people leaving troubled countries.
“There was an incident, maybe four years ago, where a male, a very nice man, was fearful of his life. He was being accommodated in a room or dormitory close to other men, who his people were locked in a conflict with in his home country.
“By night he was sleeping rough locally. On one occasion he was sleeping in a sleeping bag in the substitutes dug out at Meelick GAA pitch.
“The Guards came in a supporting role to this guy a few times. He was going down for his meals and to have showers, but sleeping rough to avoid being attacked by other men.
“I said to the Chief Superintendent this morning that they need to have oversight of what’s going on there. They should speak to management there, and if there are deep rooted conflicts that people are coming from they shouldn’t be in a situation where sworn enemies are in the room beside them.”
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
