Latest news with #InternationalProtectionAccommodationServices
The Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Simon Harris wants to see emergency planning measures for Ipas centres phased out
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said he wants to see emergency planning measures that were introduced for international protection accommodation 'phased out', if Ireland builds capacity for future emergencies. Harris said the multi-billion euro investment contained within today's revised National Development Plan will help provide the infrastructure to help ensure that Ireland is less reliant on an 'emergency response to migration' as seen over the past three years in Ireland. Central to those measures over that period has been the use of International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centres, which have become the target of protest and violence by anti-migrant groups and other demonstrations. Speaking to reporters today, Harris said the government wants to 'get us to a point where we don't have an emergency response to migration, and therefore you wouldn't need an emergency planning response' as well. 'So I would like to see a position where the exemption to planning processes could be phased out,' the Fine Gael leader added. He added that he does not believe that migration accommodation 'should be treated any differently to accommodation more broadly', when it comes to planning exemptions. Advertisement Harris did not give a timeline for when he would like to see the end of such measures. He was responding to media questions about a motion brought in Kilkenny County Council looking for these planning exemptions to end. The State has faced significant legal challenges to certain developments, with one High Court action taken against a largescale facility in Athlone encountering problems after it emerged that the expedited development was unlawful. The number of applications by people seeking asylum in Ireland has almost halved compared to last year . The State has conceded to the court that the statutory instrument used to expedite the construction of the facility was 'invalid' and is working on repairing legislation. The government has come in for criticism from Sinn Féin over its use of properties for Ukrainian refugees, with Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Matt Carthy saying yesterday that payments made to house Ukrainian people has had a 'distorting' effect on the rental market. Touching on this, Harris said today that the government is looking to make decisions around how it utilises State land, 'so we don't have a reliance and over reliance on the private market'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
10-07-2025
- Sunday World
Deportation order in place for man charged with careless driving causing death
Tarieli Schatz had previously been living in an International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centre in Wicklow town An 'active deportation order' is in place for a 37-year-old man who is charged with careless driving causing the death of a man last week at a construction site in Co Wicklow. It emerged during a contested bail hearing at Bray District Court on Tuesday when gardaí objected to bail being granted to Tarieli Schatz, who the court heard had previously been living in an International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centre in Wicklow town. John Maher, the man who died in the Rathdrum incident on Wednesday of last week was a father of two, aged in his late 40s, who was living in Rathangan, Co Kildare. Georgian national Mr Schatz originally appeared before a special sitting of the court last Friday evening, where he was remanded in custody after being charged with the single offence. The late John Maher from Rathangan, Co Kildare, who died on Wednesday He was granted bail on strict conditions by Judge David Kennedy at his latest court appearance. These include that he signs on daily at a garda station in west Dublin, that he resides at a stated address in west Dublin and does not apply for another passport after his own was handed into the authorities after he was originally charged. Describing it as 'an exceptionally serious offence', the judge also ordered that for bail to be granted, an independent surety of €10,000 must come into place as well as Mr Schatz being released on his own bond of €5,000. In both these instances, half the specified amount of money needs to be provided to the court for Mr Schatz to be released from custody. Earlier, the court heard evidence from Sergeant Simon Whelan of Wicklow town garda station, who described the matter as 'a serious incident' in which a man lost his life. He alleged that Mr Schatz was 'under the influence of cannabis' when he lost control of a defective vehicle that he was driving on the site which mounted a kerb and 'knocked down the man'. Stating that 'an active deportation order is in place for him from today,' Sgt Whelan told the court that Ireland has no extradition treaty with Georgia, and there was the possibility of more serious charges in the case. Pleading for bail, Mr Schatz's solicitor Michael O'Connor argued that his client co-operated fully with the garda investigation and answered all questions put to him. He said his client had informed his employer 'five or six times' about the defective vehicle, which was a dumper truck. Tarieli Schatz Mr O'Connor argued that it would be 'unfair' for Mr Schatz to be further remanded in custody because Ireland does not have an extradition treaty with Georgia. He pointed out that his client has no history of failing to show up for court. Both the garda investigator and the solicitor agreed that Mr Shatz is entitled to the presumption of innocence on the matter. After the judge made his ruling on the bail application, the case was adjourned to today. Tarieli Schatz at Bray Courthouse. Photo: Arthur Carron The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been notified and has launched an investigation into the incident that is separate to the garda investigation. Mr Maher was living in Rathangan, but was originally from Co Laois. His body was removed to St Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown on Wednesday where a post-mortem examination took place last Thursday. Locals said Mr Maher was a 'true gentleman and a very hard worker''. Tarieli Schatz at Bray Courthouse. Photo: Arthur Carron News in 90 Seconds - July 10th
Sunday World
23-06-2025
- Sunday World
Gardaí catch Martin 'The Viper' Foley and pals removing sign from asylum-seeker centre
When confronted by gardaí outside the centre, the three men were taking down a sign from the front gate Martin 'The Viper' Foley and two senior criminal associates have been detected by gardaí removing a sign outside a Dublin accommodation centre earmarked for asylum seekers. The veteran criminal (74) was recently detected outside a location on the Belgard Road in Tallaght, which is to be turned into an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre for immigrants. The Sunday World understands that Foley, and another man who in his 50s and from West Dublin, were wearing 'Viper Debt Recovery' T-shirts, which is the name of the debt-collection agency founded by Foley several years ago. The man with Foley is suspected by Gardaí of having ties to organised criminals. Paul Rice The third man present at the Belgard Road address was notorious gangland figure Paul Rice (56), also from Tallaght. Rice has acted as an enforcer and debt collector for the Kinahan Cartel. He is no stranger to violence and was jailed for 10 years in 1995 after pleading guilty to the robbery of a bank in which shots were fired. When confronted by gardaí outside the centre, the three men were taking down a sign from the front gate. The trio told officers that they were removing a 'Beware of Dogs' sign belonging to them. Rice then proceeded to inform gardaí that a friend of his had the 'security contract' on the building while he supplied the guard dogs. When informed by gardaí that the site was due to become an IPAS centre, they left, saying they 'didn't want to be associated' with the asylum-seeker centre. It is understood that Rice and the other Tallaght man present became very vocal to gardaí about their 'anti-immigration' views. Foley kept 'relatively quiet' in comparison and was easier to deal with during the interaction with officers, it is understood. The trio then left the scene in a rented car, driven by Rice. They are not under investigation for any criminality linked to this interaction with gardaí. Martin Foley was with Paul Rice News in 90 Seconds - Monday June 23 Gardaí are aware of some anti- immigration sentiment circulating about the proposed new immigration centre for asylum-seekers and potential protests planned. This is not the first time that well-known criminals have been spotted in the vicinity of an IPAS centre or expressing anti-immigration views. In February 2023, gangland criminal Wayne Bradley called for 'weapons' to be left at home as he joined an anti-migrant protest that took place in Finglas. Bradley, who was a close associate of slain gang boss Eamon 'The Don' Dunne, posted a series of messages on his Facebook account ahead of the demonstration. He warned those attending a planned protest in his native Finglas not to bring weapons as it 'will ruin what we started'. Also in 2023, English far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was photographed posing with a convicted heroin dealer and brother of gang boss Derek 'Dee Dee' O'Driscoll. Robinson posed with Anthony 'Harpo' O'Driscoll, of Croftwood Park in Ballyfermot, Dublin, who has criminal convictions including for heroin dealing. In March of this year, a court heard that the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) would be selling Martin 'The Viper' Foley's home in 18 months' time unless he comes up with almost €1 million to pay off outstanding tax debts. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan refused an application to allow the family remain in the house for another eight years until his daughter turns 18. Neither Foley nor his wife were Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the judgment on March 10. Cab assessed Foley as owing €916,960.12 in unpaid taxes from 1993 to 2000, a figure which has since increased due to interest and penalties. The case has been going on for more than ten years. The veteran criminal has survived multiple gangland shootings and at one stage even applied to join the Garda Reserves. Foley has more than 40 convictions, including for assault, robbery and possession of weapons. He was part of the criminal gang led by Martin Cahill, who was known as 'The General'.
RTÉ News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
New play aims to tell the untold stories of International Protection applicants
A play based on the real life experiences of people living in a International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre in Newbridge in Co Kildare has begun a nationwide tour. It includes verbatim accounts of how asylum seekers arrived in Ireland, experienced local protests here, and navigated the complexities of the international protection system. "Is Mise Éire Eile: I am another Ireland" was created by the Crooked House Theatre in Newbridge after they did some work with local international protection applicants. The shows Producing Director Emily B Ditkovski said those who took part were keen for their stories to be told. "Through a programme called 'among us' that we ran last year, we offered English classes and we worked on CVs with a lot of the folks in the local international protection process here in Direct Provision in Newbridge, and through that process, we got to know them, we got to know their stories and many of them wanted their stories to be told. "They want people to understand why they're here. They want people to know their hopes and dreams and also that they're just like people trying to live their lives. "They feel very seen on stage, which I think is really important, because if you're in direct provision, if you're in the system, you don't have time to go out and tell people why you're here. And that, frankly, isn't their job and shouldn't really even need to happen. "So we've sort of taken it on ourselves, in the position of privilege that we have to do that," she said. The company has used a method called verbatim theatre, which brings real life accounts in the words of the story teller to the stage. It includes accounts of a man who fled with a friend from his home country. Both were kidnapped and had to work to pay off their debt before making the perilous journey by sea to Europe. They travelled in two separate boats, and as the man's friends vessel sunk and he drowned, and he could hear him calling out his name across the sea. Another man recounts being forced into sex work, and beaten before fleeing to Ireland. Tunisian playwright, Yassine Barkaoui, who conducted the interviews with the international protection applicants, said the message of the play is one of understanding. "I think it's about seeing the other perspective from the people who are fleeing for a reason. "I don't think someone will just say, I'm going to cross the sea now, I will go on this adventure just for the fun. "It's very, very obvious now in Ireland, everybody on social media and politicians are talking about migration. It's very important to deal with and we need to deal with it in in a healthy way, not just relying on social media or on some extreme discord". The production, which is part-funded by the Department of Integration and the European Solidarity Corps, which sends ten theatre makers from across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to work with Crooked House for a year. The play is currently touring theatres nationwide and is followed by a post-show discussion. It is also being used as a research tool with audience members being surveyed afterwards about how the show impacted their views on International Protection.
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Aontú councillor ‘wasn't advocating for violence' at meeting about possible Ipas centres in Meath
David Boyne, who is a local councillor for Trim, stood up at a Trim Says No rally on May 30, where he spoke about a recent decision not to permit an International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centre in an industrial unit in the area. Mr Boyne also addressed a separate application that has been lodged for another unit in the centre of Trim town, with a decision expected next week. Before being handed the microphone, Mr Boyne was told he was not allowed to mention politics, including 'f words' that relate to political parties. However, during his speech Mr Boyne said that people power came in two forms, violence or voting. 'I won't mention those words but you know what to do. You know how to stop this,' Mr Boyne said. 'It's people power and people power translates into two things, violence or votes. And if you're not going to do one, do the other.' Last week, Meath County Council decided not to provide Erinpark Ltd with an exemption to turn a unit in Oak Tree Business Park into a centre for international protection applicants. A final decision on a separate application for a premises at Fairgreen, Summerhill Road, is expected on June 10. Mr Boyne said he was not telling those gathered at the meeting to use violence to oppose Ipas centres. 'Absolutely not. I wasn't advocating for violence. The point I was trying to make was people power translates to votes,' Mr Boyne said. 'So, when I said violence or votes, I was referring to the 1916 Rising, which was a violent event, that was people power. That's one way to do it, which nobody wants. Or the other way is votes. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'I couldn't talk about politics. I couldn't mention politics and I was trying to link the fact that people power is politics.' The councillor said he hoped that his meaning was not picked up incorrectly. 'The thrust of what I was saying was, violence is bad. Don't do that. Voting is good. Do that,' Mr Boyne said. An Aontú spokesperson said it was 'absolutely ridiculous' to suggest that Mr Boyne was inciting violence. 'Anyone who knows him would find this allegation outrageous. Cllr Boyne is on the public record a number of times calling on people not to take matters into their own hands and not to touch property,' the party said. At a previous meeting on international protection centres in the area, Mr Boyne told those gathered that 'anyone here that might be of a mind to take matters into their own hands, do not touch that building'. The spokesperson added that while Mr Boyne's language was 'very clunky', the councillor had asked people to translate their people power into votes. 'Cllr Boyne is a brand new councillor. He was elected less than a year ago. He hasn't had much experience in public speaking, yet he has been thrown into the deep end, trying to help communities grapple with the Ipas system,' the spokesperson said. They added that it was 'unfair' for Mr Boyne's words to be portrayed as anything other than peaceful, because 'he misspoke once'.
