80 refugees in Borrisokane given eviction notices

EIGHTY refugees living in Riverside Apartments, Borrisokane recently received eviction notices from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, an action which has caused great upset and anger in the town.
Cllr Michael O'Meara told The Midland Tribune that the refugees have assimilated very well into the local community and it is wrong that they are being treated in this way. He said the refugees will be moved out in the next couple of weeks and replaced with other refugees.
Cllr Seamus Morris said it was a terrible way to treat people and he was shocked when he heard about the issuance of eviction notices.
Cllr Joe Hannigan also deeply regretted the news. “I was Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District back in 2019 when it was proposed to bring 80 refugees to Borrisokane. The local community were very concerned. A local committee was set up to liaise with the governmental Department. That worked well. A meeting was called in the town which was attended by the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and the Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council. It was a very positive meeting.”
Subsequent to the meeting the 80 refugees moved into Riverside Apartments, which is located overlooking the Ballyfinboy River and the L1094 road to Ballinderry.
Again and again, during the following years, it was stated in the media that the refugees had settled very well into the local community. The move was so successful that during a meeting of Nenagh MD in July 2023 the Councillors pointed out that Borrisokane should be held up as a role model for how towns can successfully assimilate refugees. Cllr Michael O'Meara quoted Shakespeare to illustrate his point. “The people of Borrisokane are a bit like Othello,” he said, “in that they 'have done the state some service'.” He said that most of the refugees that arrived in Borrisokane in 2019 were families and came from a number of different countries.
Cllr Seamus Morris recalled that in 2019 the National Party handed out leaflets in the town and tried to encourage dissent, but the local community paid no heed to them. Cllr O'Meara pointed out that most of those who arrived in 2019 are still here. “Their children are going to school here. They have made friends. They play GAA and soccer. It's good for your heart to see it.”
Cllr Hannigan this week said the Councillors and many locals want the refugees to stay in Borrisokane. “The refugees and many locals are very upset about being made leave.”
Deputy Alan Kelly said it was hugely unfair to move the families. “They’re totally integrated. We have a unique scenario in Borrisokane, possibly in Ireland, where people who had issues at the beginning, the issues got sorted and now the people of Borrisokane want a situation where these people who are part of the community since 2019 continue to be part of the community. They have been offered HAP but trying to find accommodation is almost impossible.”