Lowry welcomes eviction pause of Borrisokane's former Asylum Seekers

Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the decision to pause the eviction of 96 former asylum seekers from Borrisokane in North Tipperary, the place they have called home, since 2019.

The Tipperary TD sought the personal intervention of Taoiseach Simon Harris when he learned that a number of families faced losing their homes, despite a commitment given to local people five years ago that the families moving into accommodation in the town would not be moved and replaced by newcomers.

Now, having lived happily in Borrisokane since they came to Ireland, 10 of 16 families were recently told that they were being evicted, despite having nowhere to go.

‘News that this decision has been paused has been welcomed’ says Deputy Lowry, ‘but the situation remains fraught with uncertainty’. He is urging that the terms of the original agreement be honoured.

‘These families have been living in Borrisokane’s Riverside Centre since shortly after their arrival in Ireland and have settled happily into the local community.

The children have been attending the local schools and have been involved in sports and activities in the town. Many adults have secured jobs and are actively involved in clubs and organisations, and friendships have been formed with local families.

‘Once newcomers, these families have integrated so well that they now refer to Borrisokane as their home’ says Deputy Lowry.

Prior to the asylum seekers' arrival in the town, a diligent local committee negotiated an agreement with the Department to ensure that the Riverside Centre would only house 16 families.

They also secured a commitment that these families would remain in the accommodation long-term and not be replaced by other tenants.

In addition, an assurance was given that, if and when the families gained Leave to Remain status and the right to stay in Ireland, they would be afforded the option of remaining in the Riverside Centre if they wished to do so, with financial support from the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

Alternatively, they would be permitted to negotiate a private rental agreement with the owners of the property.

However, some months ago, it emerged that Eviction Notices had been served on ten of the families living in the Riverside Centre in order to make way for new International Protection Applicants.

‘They were distraught, and their distress was shared by local people who believed and trusted that the agreement reached in 2019 was binding’ says Deputy Lowry.

High rental costs and the lack of available places to rent could mean that these families face the prospect of Emergency Accommodation anywhere in the country and the mammoth task of relocating their families and rebuilding their lives yet again.

However, the people of Borrisokane quickly stepped up to ensure that the terms of the original agreement were honoured.

A Petition was launched to keep the families in their accommodation and, in turn, their jobs, their schools, and in the local community. Within a very short time, the Petition had gathered almost 200 signatures in the small but very united town.

The determined Borrisokane Committee also organised a series of meetings with the Department of Justice, the owners of the Riverside Centre, Tipperary Local Authority and Elected Representatives in area.

While the decision to pause the eviction of the families living in the Riverside Centre is welcome, local people remain resolute in ensuring that the full terms of the original written agreement will be honoured.

‘This has been a good news story since 2019. This reprieve on eviction is very welcome, but the uncertainty remains, not only for the town’s newest families but also for the local community who have stood firmly beside them,’ says Deputy Lowry.

‘They believed that the agreement reached five years ago was binding and they placed their trust in it. Now they are left feeling uncertain and disillusioned’