Tullamore does not have the infrastructure to cope with more asylum seekers or refugees says local councillor

A local councillor has expressed his concern that another premises in Tullamore could be used to house either asylum seekers or Ukrainian refugees.

There are unconfirmed reports that a building has been sold along with other adjacent buildings to a direct provision company.

''This is not about race or ethnicity or religious beliefs, it's about an exploding population that the infrastructure in the town cannot support,'' said Councillor Tony McCormack.

Councillor McCormack stressed that this is not a problem that is unique to Tullamore. He said the whole country and Europe is grappling with an influx of refugees and asylum seekers.

''As a local councillor my job is to support the community, including all the diversities, but our education system, our mental health system and our housing and infrastructure is being compromised. There are no places available for kids to go to school. We have all seen articles on the paper and in other media about the problems we are having. Our mental health care is non-existent.

We are lucky in Tullamore we have ACT [Accessible Counselling Tullamore] which was set up by local man the late James O'Connor and that acts as a buffer. It looks after many people in our area.''

The Tullamore based councillor also spoke about the shortage of GP's in the town. He said many local people cannot get an appointment with a doctor or have to wait over a month to be seen.

''I was one of the first people to welcome the asylum seekers into Tullamore when we heard the Marian Hostel was going to be used. I was one of the first to welcome the Ukrainians to Tullamore when I was Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District. I went down to the Central Hotel and welcomed the Ukrainians into Tullamore and I'm delighted that they have settled in. But we just don't have the services.''

Cllr McCormack said there are over 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Tullamore, ''that's close to 8% of our population,'' he stressed.

''I am going to write to Minister Roderic O'Gorman and ask him not to sign any contracts with providers of any asylum seekers in the Tullamore area. This is because of the lack of services, for these vulnerable people.''

Meanwhile, Cllr McCormack said 240 Ukrainian refugees are set to move into 60 modular units in Clonminch, Tullamore, tomorrow Friday December 1.

He said each unit will house 4 people. Ukrainians currently living in Tullamore and outside the county are to accommodated in the units.

The Tribune has contacted the office of Minister Roderic O'Gorman and Offaly County Council for a response.

A response from Irish Service Provision company Bridgestock Care has said it has not purchased a named  building and has no intention of so doing.