Latest news with #IntegrationandYouth
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Councillors shocked at footage of naked man outside asylum centre
Video footage of the incident shot by bystanders from the footpath and from passing vehicles has been widely spread on social media since it happened on Saturday, June 14. District councillors in Wicklow have called for greater lines of communication with the local engagement team after a man was recently found running naked outside an asylum centre in the town. Video footage of the incident shot by bystanders from the footpath and from passing vehicles has been widely spread on social media since it happened on Saturday, June 14. The footage captures a completely nude male running along the middle of the road outside the IPAS centre at the Grand Hotel. He appears to be in a disorientated and agitated state. The Grand Hotel in Wicklow town. Photo: Michael Kelly News in 90 Seconds - June 27th Speaking during the June meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, independent councillor John Snell called on his district colleagues to work collectively to help alleviate concerns when these incidents happen. He stressed the need for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information about what happened to the individual in question and asked newly elected cathaoirleach Graham Richmond to write to the relevant Minister seeking clarity on the matter. He also raised concern about how the footage appeared online before elected representatives were informed about what happened and suggested a better strategy is needed to monitor certain comments and activities online. In agreement councillor Paul O'Brien issued a word of caution about how the issue is dealt with and cited the difficulty in trying to manage social media accounts and open forums. Councillor Gail Dunne added it was important that residents in the town feel safe and that such incidents don't become a common reoccurrence. The male in question has since been arrested for public order offences and was brought to Wicklow Garda Station, where he was held in custody. He was charged with several offences, which are due before the courts. He is currently receiving care at Newcastle Hospital after being sectioned under the mental health act. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
State pays over €1.9 million to cover costs at Wicklow IPAS centre
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which handles international protection accommodation service (IPAS) centres, has released figures detailing the amount of money the state has paid out so far this year to run these facilities in County Wicklow. The data for Q1 2025 shows Vesta Hotels Limited received the biggest allocation in February with two payments of €680,680, and a third worth €607,750 to provide accommodation for international protection applicants. A Hiqa report carried out at the south Wicklow facility in 2024 recorded capacity of 111 people. At the time of inspection, it was accommodating 104 residents, and nine of these were children. Meanwhile Arturo Ventures Unlimited received a payment of over €320,000 in January to provide accommodation for Ukrainians in west Wicklow. However, with a reduction in demand for accommodation for Ukrainians, elected members of the Baltinglass Municipal District have been told the operator of the Avon Hotel in Blessington has instead been offered to provide accommodation for international protection applicants. At their meeting in May councillors were informed this would be offered under a lease agreement of up to two years which is currently being examined by the Department. The 95 Ukrainian residents currently being accommodated at The Avon are all due to be relocated by August 8. The proposal to turn the hotel into an IPAS centre has sparked opposition from residents in recent weeks, with protests taking place in the town. They claim department officials have failed to consult them about their plans and fear the move could have a negative impact on local services. ADVERTISEMENT The figures also show Powertique Limited received two separate payments from the state in January totalling more than €1 million to house Ukrainians at the Royal Hotel in Bray. Meanwhile Woodstone Property Ak Limited which oversees operations at the Wilton Hotel in Bray received over €203,000 in January to accommodate Ukrainians seeking international protection. A breakdown of the figures also shows E and B Hotel Limited which owns Rathmore Country House in Ashford was allocated over €65,000 in January for the associated costs in providing accommodation. As of May 2025, there are currently 1,395 international protection applicants residing in County Wicklow. This figure far exceeds that of its neighbouring counties, including Wexford (605), Carlow (436) and Kildare (564) but naturally the numbers in Dublin are much higher. There are currently 3,403 applicants for international protection based in centres in Dublin city, with 1,190 in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The Journal
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Michael Healy-Rae's property company records profits of €800,000 over last two years
KERRY TD MICHAEL Healy-Rae's property management firm recorded combined profits of €841,908 over a two-year period, new account filings show. In the 12 months to the end of May 2024, the minister of state's first Roughty Properties Ltd recorded post-tax profits of €376,048. It recorded a €465,860 post tax profit in its first year in operation from May 2022 to May 2023. The profits for the two periods add up to a combined €841,908 post tax profit. The accounts filed are abridged and don't provide a revenue figure. The Kerry TD's entry in the Dáil Register of Members' Interests states that the main activity of Roughty Properties Ltd is 'management of rental properties'. In the register, Healy-Rae describes himself as an owner of rental properties and his entry lists 17 separate properties for letting, including 14 houses. The portfolio includes Rosemont House in Tralee, a guesthouse providing accommodation for Ukrainians who came to Ireland to flee the war. Separate figures published by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth show that Healy Rae's Rosemont House has received €1.22m over two years and three months to the end of December last. Advertisement Roughty Property Ltd is Healy-Rae's most profitable enterprise, with the accounts showing two years of strong profits. Cash funds at the company last year increased from €555,933 to €718,046. The company also strengthened its balance sheet during the year with the addition of a fixed asset which has a book value of €204,519. Healy-Rae owns 100% of the share capital of the company. Under the heading of directors' loans, a note states that at the end of May 2024, 'there were no loans, quasi loan, credit transactions or guarantees for and on behalf of the directors'. In 2022, Kerry County Council refused planning permission to Roughty Properties Ltd's planning application for a three storey extension to expand guest capacity at Rosemont Guest House. Separate accounts filed earlier this year by Minister Healy-Rae's plant hire firm, Roughty Plant Hire Ltd, show that its accumulated profits increased by €74,887 from €734,024 to €808,911 in the 12 months to the end of April 2024. Accounts for another Michael Healy-Rae firm which operates a fuel station and grocery shop in Kilgarvan show that it recorded post tax losses of €26,986 last year. Healy-Rae's entry to the Dáil's members' register of interests lists his other occupations as postmaster, farmer, service station owner and owner of rental properties. The Kerry TD also has shares in the New York Times and owns 146 acres of farmland/forestry.
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Confusion over status of Wicklow hotel paid €5.5m to house Ukrainians
The operators of hotel in west Wicklow have so far received over €5.5 million from the state for accommodating Ukrainians since 2022, and are thought to additionally be housing international protection applicants. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has provided The Avon Hotel in Blessington with a total of €5,529,949 for offering accommodation to Ukrainians and the associated costs from Q3 of 2022, when they first started accommodating them, though to Q4 of 2024.
