Sarsfield Bridge hotel becomes refugee hostel

All of u nerds going on about the irish funds being 'wasted' on asylum seekers are not aware of the fact that these funds are mostly supplied by th UNHR. go and do some research.

Point taken Squid (and bock), i must admit i hadnt thought of that aspect, tho i did mean it of course for comon or crimes like serious violence, drug, and of course sex crimes etc.

Perhaps their could be an appeal system whereby 'political crime' for example could be judged on merit or circumstance etc. Irish republicans claimed political status and prisoners of conscience due to their circumstances, and quite rightly i believe.

That said i think we're drifting a little off the main topic re: the hotel in sarfield st. Maybe its not the ideal place for a variety of reasons but if its not being used for anything else then maybe it would be worse to just leave it there empty. Also its better to let refugees live in the city rather than putting them in a village like what happend in galway (i forget the town) but the new arrivals out mumbered to the local population 2 to 1. now that was a bad decision in my humble oppinion.

another slightly tangenetal point regarding that part of town: Whats happening to the Boatclub site is far worse than Sarsfield hotel being used for a hostel. Some developer is coming in to plant a some building on the site whcih will possibly involve appartments, right there on the river! :(

Squid: Good point. In many countries, someone who disagrees with the government is a criminal.

For example, you might be a criminal if you protested against a crooked government minister giving away a gas field to a big multinational.

Oh, wait! Sorry. That's what happened in Mayo, isn't it?

Refugees and serious criminal records are very common, there stories are often so horrible they end of soaked in crime, Theft to eat violence to survive.I dont know how if they come in with a record from a war torn starved country you could hold it against them? I think if they stay law abiding and do all they can to become an active member of Irish society they should helped .

If they are genuine refugees and do not have serious criminal records in the countrys they left then perhaps they should be given a chance to have a decent life but also an opportunity to contribute (which they may very well want to do) rather than just hang around living off our taxes.
It cant be easy uprooting from place youve known all your life as home to come and live ina town where you are probably less than welcome.

Ah but there is where you hit a snag.

It is one thing to ban say an Economic migrant from the country if they have a criminal record in their home country, it becomes a little more problematic when you try to do it to an asylum seeker, for the following reason.

An asylum is more than likely claiming assylum because their human rights or their personal freedoms are being abused. Mugabe's oponent in previous elections for example has been arrested numerous times on suspicion of sedition. Therefore if you were to ask the home government of someone seeking asylum if they have a criminal record should you believe them. Imagine someone from china, a democracy campaigner claimed asylum in ireland, would you throw them out for breaking the law in China. i.e. opposing a dictatorship?

true, the polish and other eastern european women are a real sweetner to the wave of economic migtration thats come here the past number of years. indeed our eastern block arrivals tend very much to work hard and not complain too much, unless the topic is the predominance of local scumbags and of course the weather, and who here could really disagree with that; but by and large they make a posivitive contribution.

There are others coming here who have made a less than positive contribution but then there are plenty 'natives' who have brought the place down alot deeper into the sh1t than a bus load of refugees will ever do.

If they are genuine refugees and do not have serious criminal records in the countrys they left then perhaps they should be given a chance to have a decent life but also an opportunity to contribute (which they may very well want to do) rather than just hang around living off our taxes.
It cant be easy uprooting from place youve known all your life as home to come and live ina town where you are probably less than welcome.

Sarcasm!

Mehere, I think the polish are not complained about because they are white ! and dont forget there women are good looking.

@ Squid
"Who said that the people moving into the hotel had committed crimes?"
Ellis Island was not a jail.

All in all I think having read all of the blogs that Angryman made the most sensible remarks by far...I think alot are talking bulls**t...Speaking on behalf of the real needy, I don't blame them one bit, I'd do the same if I was in their position as did many Irish before me...Yes I lived in England for years myself...I am old enough to remember the 80's here and that was when I left..Will it return? We here it has/will in the media...So the Irish will go in search of work abroad again...? Most of the debate sofar has been aimed at Africans and the odd mention of Romainians, no mention of the Polish here??? I have nothing against them or any other nationalites for that matter, the Polish work hard (maybe too hard?) but none the less the came, sent their money out of the country and now their country is getting better for it, at least in parts anyway...I've heard plenty of arguements in the past that there were plenty of Polish cowboys here and giving the buildrs a bad name, have some of the Irish done the same abroad?? Now I know plenty of Irish in England that done the very same thing...We all have to survive oneway or another...Anything that is being done be it good or bad by the Non-Nationals here has already been done the world over by the Irish regardless to what some of the readers here think or believe!!!! So is it ok for one and not the other??? Other than that, I might give up me olde passport, get another one and get a river view for myself...:-)

Thanks Roisin for this post. They say information is power. I believe it is important to put out as much correct information regarding these issues.

I know the following is long, but since there is still obvious confusion in these posts about the differences between status of asylum seekers and refugees maybe, if the blog owners allow, it would be good to cast an eye over the actual conditions for asylum seekers as set out in the Department of Justice Reception and Integration Agency website www.ria.gov.ie

"Some of the information in circulation regarding the entitlements and obligations of people applying for asylum in Ireland is inaccurate and can give a false impression of the support system which is in place here for those entering the asylum process. This section of the website is intended to give a brief outline of some of the key issues which you should be aware of before travelling to Ireland to apply for asylum...

When you apply for asylum in Ireland your application must be accompanied by any original travel documents in your possession and, if appropriate, those of your children aged under eighteen years, and you must furnish originals of all identity documents, birth and marriage certificates in your possession relating to you and/or your minor children.

You must be truthful at all times in the information you provide in connection with your application and you must co-operate fully with the investigation of your application.

Your photograph and fingerprints will be taken when you lodge your application.

When your application for a declaration as a refugee has been lodged, you will be given accommodation in a reception centre in Dublin, the capital city, for an initial period of ten to fourteen days.

You will then be relocated under the 'Dispersal Scheme' to an accommodation centre outside of Dublin. There are currently fifty eight such accommodation centres throughout Ireland and you will not be given any choice with regard to the location of the centre to which you are dispersed. You may have to share your bedroom with other asylum seekers.

You will be expected to remain in the accommodation centre to which you are dispersed until your application has been fully processed, including any appeal period if applicable. You may only move from this accommodation with the permission of the Reception and Integration Agency and only in circumstances where the Agency is in a position to offer you alternative accommodation.

Your accommodation will be full board, i.e. bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As your accommodation will be full board, the only income you will receive from the State shall be a personal allowance of €19.10 per week and, if you have children and they are accompanying you, €9.60 per week for each child.

Rent supplements are no longer payable to asylum seekers. Therefore, under no circumstances will you be granted any State supports to acquire rented accommodation. You must remain within the 'Direct Provision' scheme until you are granted refugee status, leave to remain or, if your application for refugee status is unsuccessful, until you are deported.

If you are an asylum seeker from Bulgaria, Romania or Nigeria you will be required to report at specified intervals to an immigration officer or person or persons authorised by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, or a member of the Garda Síochána (Irish Police).

You must not leave or attempt to leave the State without the consent of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform while your application is under consideration.

You will not be allowed to seek or enter employment while your application for refugee status is being processed.

You will not be allowed to carry on any business, trade or profession while your application is being processed.

You will not be entitled to third level education or to vocational training while your application is being processed.

If, prior to applying for refugee status in Ireland, you had lodged or had an application for asylum examined in another Dublin II Regulation/Dublin Convention State or where another State has issued you with a visa or work permit, or where you illegally crossed the frontier of another Regulation State, Ireland may request that State to either take back your application for declaration as a refugee or to take charge of your application and you may then be transferred back to that State.

If, following the processing of your application for refugee status, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform decides not to give you a declaration as a refugee, he may make a deportation order against you and you shall be deported from the State."

They havent, I am speaking in general .The tone is that they are thiefs and scroungers if some of them are? deal with them accordingly, but dont throw them all in the same pot.

i have decided that this will be my last comment on this subject, when you share your views on this subject, your called a racist, let me tell you that on dozens of occasions i helped refugees, i have often been asked by them for directions to the city home i bring them their, i have initiated conversation with them on many many occasions, because i am a kind and decent human being, i believe they should be fed and boarded while they are here, but i still think there should be restictions on the amounts of people coming in, keep it to a minimum and let them blend in gradually thats the only way this thing will work not this lunacy of opening the floodgates and swamping the country with them. i wont lose any sleep over it anyway, for the few years i have left i intend to live each day with a hjappy mind, this subject would make you ill because it really goes no where.

Who said that the people moving into the hotel had committed crimes?

Ellis island closed over 50 years ago.I am present day Irish in america no one has treated me like shit. Benefits aside, TWO star by the way thats a crappy hotel aside, you cant reconcile how another country treated its imigrants US, 50 100 and 150 years ago by how you are treating yours now.Its the system that is screwed up not the policy of helping others in terrible need.If they commit crime ban them from the country if they commit welfare fraud stop the benefits.

Tomás:

To say we should remember the Irish immigrants when talking about immigrants in Ireland nowadays is pure crap.

"Pure crap". Is that the most persuasive argument you can manage?

Does south africa count as sub saharan africa, as there are direct are, (or at least were) flights from South Africa to Knock Airport.

Theres a lot of people going on about the Irish emagrating to America and other countries. Where ever they went they were treated like shit. I visited Ellis Island and saw the shit conditions these people had to endure.
Im NOT saying we should do the samee to our immigrants but lets face it, it was far from three star hotels the Irish got!
To say we should remember the Irish immigrants when talking about immigrants in Ireland nowadays is pure crap.
There is no comparison:

http://www.kinsella.org/histor...

@Squid

The UN to my knowledge has not sent us refugess as part of some kind of redistrubution as you suggest. Although if you can give a me any kind of proof of UN redistribution to Ireland, I will of course change my mind on the spot.

These people have elected to come here in their own capacity by paying human trafficer parasites so that they themselves can suck off our welfare system created through Irish people's PRSI contributions.

You say my claim is bogus - I don't understand. I see a considerable number of subSaharan Africans staying in hostels in my own town. I have seen with my own eyes - not something somebody told me. These people have crossed all of Europe to come here and as wisely pointed out by a previous poster, there are no direct flights to Ireland from subSaharan Africa so can you explain to all those on the 'right wing' of this argument why they do not claim asylum in the country they were in immediately before Ireland? The 'left wingers' cannot explain this it seems.

BTW: The beggars that flock on Limerick are NOT Romanians they are Romany gypsies and do not have a specific home country but are from an area thats made up of several eastern eupropean countrie..just for the record like.

1. The irish were hated when they all went to America and some people are still angry about that.. isnt it time to show some kindness in return? We were helped before its time to give something back. But no.. most people want massive houses, massive cars and to show off their wealth. think about it.. whats wrong with a normal car, normal house and have a family and be able to afford to look after them without being extravagent? Its a rat race we are in and I aint getting involved.

2. If it is just 19 euros a week they get then so be it but they do receive a lot more in terms of other benefits

3. We ARE being taken for a ride with people claiming for their children still living in other countries. Fact. Some were even getting flights over, claiming and going home the same day.

4. Starkie I completely agree that there MSUT be a restriction on the amount of people we let in. England is a complete mess and I dont know how they will sort it all out. We cant afford so many coming over.

5. Any foreigner convicted of a crime MUST be banned from Ireland for life. I would expect the same of an Irish citizen in another country.

6. Reporting someone to the guards for something said in a free expression of their own opinion... my first laugh of the day.

7. The Irish in general are hypocritical and a nation of begrudgers. If someone wins the lotto we dont say we are happy for them we say "That **** has my 2 euros".

8. The government needs to come up with a scheme so the people can work. I am sure most of them are bored doing nothing all day. Why not put them building on roads. If they were seeking asylum/escape for a better life then they would have no problem signing up to do a bit of work even say 2/3 days a week in return for safety/shelter/food and a few benefits. Wouldnt that be fairer and shut us all up if they are doing something in return???? This is the way forward I feel.

Fintan, you're not in a position to educate anyone.

I'd ask you to understand that shouting people down is not the same thing as discussion in any civilised company, but I know you wouldn't grasp it. So I won't bother.

I find it ironic that the Irish, who had to reach out to the rest of the world for help, are so dismissive of people in trouble today. Are we such a smug, self-satisfied bunch that we can close our eyes to people in trouble?

Actually, just ignore the question. We are that hypocritical.

That would not be my reading of it Pat

Squid said
it has already been posted that not all refugees make their own way here, but are most of the time re-located here as part of our committment to the international commitments
I said in response to Mushy about the numbers been deported versus the numbers here. I merely did this because there is another myth that abounds that nobody ever gets deported etc etc.

Anyway I think cyberspi's response is interesting. I posted that report by Mark Haddon because it did shock me. I like cyberspi may not have thought much about the issue inn recent years because in particular in Limerick, dispersal to knocksheelan etc, means that asylum seekers are not as visible.

But one interesting other issue, that stems from that Mark haddon piece and I am prepared to stand corrected on this, is that I believe that a few years ago the department of Justice made it illegal for asylum seekers to speak about their personal cases to news media. The departments rationale was that it might prejudice their case for asylum etc. However the net effect of this is that in the absence of their stories we are left in this void filled by rumour mongers where as if we knew the truth we might feel a little different.

I am trying to reconcile this.

One one hand Squid claims that most assylum seekers are here as some kind of official UN initiative. Indeed I can remember a number of times in the past where this occured, albeit in very small numbers.

On the other hand Mushy claims
"in the years 2005-2006 nearly 1300 were deported by irish government, this includes some voluntary returns."

Surely this contradicts Squid's claim as these people would not have been deported if they had a legitimate reason to be here?

thanks for that Roisin.

Jeez people, give it a break these people regardless of what they are called are just like us.They eat drink play cry work the same as we do, since when have we become so hard! There has always been imigration and migration throughout the rest of the world.We have gone to America and england and Australia for almost as long as we have a history, we dont need to condemn them for their need but to improve our system so its less likely to be abused the benefit system is terribly flawed.It like you need a year off to realize your wealth sort it out and let these people in and do it right .

Cyberspi,

Doras Luimni ("a group of concerned people who have come together to respond to the refugee situation in Limerick") would be able to let you know where you could take toys/baby equipment etc.

E-mail: dorasluimni@eircom.net

omg. keep it up hazel- nuts, "these" people will not want to stay here weather aside, with the hatred and ignorance you spew.

my history is vague here, wasn't there a jewish settlement in the early 1900's
or around WWII? didn't they wise up and leave?

hopefully there will be more lovely boys coming- oh yeah;)

hmm if you can pretty much comment any which way,
could the names be improved? tits-over-arse, Mickey'sMickey!

I feel sick from what I've read in that Guardian article, I have always been prejudiced against asylum seekers without reason, I guess lumping them in with the afore mentioned begging gypsies. does anyone know of any charities in limerick that are helping them? or any way an ordinary person could help?
Does anyone know if there is a drop off centre where I could leave toys/baby equipment for these people to use?

I have a very young child and it breaks my heart to imagine being separated from her for any length of time, or having to watch her go through some of those horrors, and from the sounds of things being in Ireland hasn't helped much towards getting rid of the nightmare for these people.

“Let me add that asylum seekers in Ireland are not permitted to work and receive €19 per week. That’s right. Nineteen euros”
That was said about 5 times already. Try to keep up. Im not going to educate you on the benifit system in America but I’ll tell you there is no comparison when it comes to that of Ireland.

It is worth repeating as it is one of the few facts trotted out in this thread. Not too sure what you mean about American benefit system. Are you based there?

Mushy says

Someone said the number being given refugee status is miniscule therefore the remainder are bogus but we don’t see large numbers being deported. Why not?Where do they wind up?

Well here is some facts from report published this week

2007 saw just over 3000 applications for asylum the lowest since 1997.

In regards to deportations, I can't find the 2007 figures but in the years 2005-2006 nearly 1300 were deported by irish government, this includes some voluntary returns.

"Let me add that asylum seekers in Ireland are not permitted to work and receive €19 per week. That’s right. Nineteen euros"

That was said about 5 times already. Try to keep up. Im not going to educate you on the benifit system in America but I'll tell you there is no comparison when it comes to that of Ireland. I can assure you that I didnt strengten your argument in any way. Stop drawing it out, its nonsense.

Mickey's Mickey,I don't know what point you're making as regards the number of asylum seekers going to Poland and coming here.Poland has approximately 10 times the population we have.

Let me add that asylum seekers in Ireland are not permitted to work and receive €19 per week. That's right. Nineteen euros.

Fintan: If you're reduced to calling someone's argument "stupid", you're really stuck, aren't you?

The native Americans, as Pat well knows, are not who I refer to.

And furthermore, in saying that the Irish didn't claim benefits, you strengthen my point. Even though the Irish may have gone there to work, they were still rejected and mistreated.

"It is one of our obligations as a member of the United nations afaik"

So you admit you are ignorant too squid?

"like the junkies and those really irratating little romamian women who never leave you alone."

The thing I always say to them is "No Way", or "Feck off" Give them nothing, I don't see our people who draw the dole begging in the streets.

That is not what was said. now was it mushy. what was said was that they are sent from their own country to here ,

No,Squid. That's not right. No country has the right to take in asylum seekers and then pass them on to someone else. Someone said the number being given refugee status is miniscule therefore the remainder are bogus but we don't see large numbers being deported. Why not?Where do they wind up?

Chileans in eary 70's
Palestinians early 00's
Bosnians 90's
Burmese earlier this year

etc etc etc

Squid "1 it has already been posted that not all refugees make their own way here, but are most of the time re-located here as part of our committment to the international commitments"


I dont think that this is correct Squid. Can you point to a reference for this claim?

Re~located from where? Is Ireland the last chance saloon for these people? If the number is so miniscule why send them here in the first place only for us to send them on their way again.
If lets say they reach Italy,why dont the Italians Process them and then if they gain status they would be free to move around Europe.

All this whinging about “no direct flights” is disingenuous.
Well Sqiud, enlighten me then. What are the statistics for the amount of people "relocated" compared to that of people seeking asylum?

I think the frigin americans are dropping them off at shannon.

Here is a fact to chew on. Roughly the same amount of people applied for assylum in Poland and Ireland in 2007.

Why can't we all just get along ?

Topper, I suggest you break up the words you are reading above as you don't seem to be able to interpret what has previously been posted.

1 it has already been posted that not all refugees make their own way here, but are most of the time re-located here as part of our committment to the international commitments

also the amount of asylum seekers wh oget refugee status in this country is miniscule.

All this whinging about "no direct flights" is disingenuous.

Mushy, I agree with you. Maybe someone can help me out here. My understanding is that if you are an asylum seeker, you claim that status in the first country you get to. As far as I am aware there is no direct flights into Ireland from these countries so how come so many get as far as Ireland without claiming this status before they get here??

This has become a site for racists and bigots. Outlandish claims are being made without any evidance.I am glad "HAZEL" lives elsewhere.I feel sorry for the country she (or he) now resides in.
Thanks "SHANE" for the link to the real story of these unfortunate people.

When government funds were used to purchase this property was any concern given to the never ending housing list in Limerick.
What about our citizens in housing estates who are in fear for their families and own lives?
Some live in areas resembling war torn conflict areas what about their welfare , their housing needs?

Topper,it's still a better existence than the one they say they're fleeing from. Here their lives aren't in danger.Also why do these people cross several European countries to get here? Because we are the soft touch of Europe.

Romania is a member of the EU
This I know,It still does`nt stop those beggars in the city centre and with people being put into the city With €20 in their pocket you can expect to see a lot more of it.
And just to point out im not saying all Romanians are beggars!

Romania is a member of the EU which means that the location of an assylum hostel would make little difference in that regard.

With Free accomadation and free meals, its still a pretty miserable existence on 20 euro a week, so are we going to see a rise in people begging on our city streets like the junkies and those really irratating little romamian women who never leave you alone.
That should be really good for buisness and tourism in the city centre.

Fintan: I agree that these migrant immigrants that are defrauding the system should be invetigated but alot of the vibes given off by a few of the commenters above were tarring all refugee/asylum seekers with the same brush..It should be done on an individual basis.

There are plenty of people driving 08 cars around limerick that are on benefits and have no intention of looking for work but obviuously its easy to point the finger at a minority other than face the problems staring us in the face..

Ok people are getting confused here. Yes we has political and moral obligations to someone fleeing their country seeking refuse. Thats fine. Squid mentioned they get €20 a week as stated in the Limerick Post. As soon as they are granted refugee status they will get the full benifits. They are entitled to that. But is it right for the government to lease a 3 star hotel for them in the city centre?? The first thing visitors will see when they cross the bridge is a refugee centre..

My point was 'migrant imigrants' who come here to take advantage of the our benifit system with no intention of seeking employment.

i have no prblem with othercultures being here. what i do have a prblem with is the stupidty of people who seem to say that we should allow unlimited numbers of refugees in . do we want to go down the road that u k has gone, its now the most bucked up society in eourope. im glad we are keeping it in control. the people who use the word racist are just coppimg out of de bate. i suppose they are unable to put logic to their arguments and they throw up this word racism every time the problem comes up. as far as this nonsense about torture is concerned well its a red herring.

John Smith: I heard that interview and he got a letter from the Dept of Education saying that he was entitled to the full grant,he didnt apply for the full grant,just a partial grant and told the Dept of this.He did not take the money)whick he could have) and he went to Sweden for the summer on work experince paying for his accomadation both there and in Limerick out of his own pocket.Then the Dept of Education accused him of trying to defraud the system.He was screwed for being honest.
I think you heard what you wanted to hear.
Get your facts straight!

Squid

"A lot of ignorant, ill-educated, and incorrect claims here, bordering on the racist in some cases.

Under international law, Ireland is obliged to take in a certain number of refugees, It is one of our obligations as a member of the United nations afaik.

Refugees can’t claim any benefits other than the €20 social allowance a week."

From my understanding I thought it was asylum seekers who haven't yet received refugee status that only get £20 allowance a week. What about the ones with full refugee status?

This maybe correct squid, but did you hear the refugee on Live95fm this morning. He got all his university fees & more paid for, and also when he went abroad to finish his degree he was paid by the Irish Government.

My parents couldnt afford to send me to college/ uni so I had to work and educate myself through evening classes in later life.

Now you have these refugees coming here, staying in hotels, and we are educating them for free?

We are nothing short of muppets for puuting up with this!!!

Refugees have the same rights as any other citizen of this republic and may take employment or claim social welfare benefits if they have difficulties is securing employment. Its assylum seekers who receive the €20 a week.

Under the Geneva Convention Ireland is obliged to accommate all who seek assylum. Those who do are subject to certain conditions. These conditions leave a very narrow chance of being accepted as a refugee and most applications are rejected.

There is also a UN refugee programme where people are giving automatic refugee status and transported to a host country. These special cases result from natural disasters or war.

A lot of ignorant, ill-educated, and incorrect claims here, bordering on the racist in some cases.

Under international law, Ireland is obliged to take in a certain number of refugees, It is one of our obligations as a member of the United nations afaik.

Refugees can't claim any benefits other than the €20 social allowance a week.

Fr Fintan Stack - they don't claim every benefit under the sun unless you have some hidden statistics. You don't do you, instead you know a friend of your friend saw someone who looked like an asylum seeker at the post office they were four behind them at the queue and it looked like they got some money. Something like that I suppose.
Very little facts here, except what Sean Lally said in the ORIGINAL leader article. That really is more worrying than all this rubbish

"Which good people of America? Do you mean the native americans or the other migrants?"

Apparantly the native Americans were happy to see pale faces, it's the "other migrants" that exterminated them.

John Smith

The same self haters making hazel out to be a racist nazi are the same people who are against looking after people like you

"“I’m reminded of those asylum seekers and economic migrants who sailed across the Atlantic from Ireland after the Famine. I believe they were greeted with similar contempt by the good people of America.”

The Irish didnt go over there with the intention of claiming every benifit under the sun. Because there were no handouts and the Irish went over looking for work. The Irish helped build the America you see today. Pat summed up how stupid your argument is really.

Bock the Robber Says:

"I’m reminded of those asylum seekers and economic migrants who sailed across the Atlantic from Ireland after the Famine. I believe they were greeted with similar contempt by the good people of America."

Which good people of America? Do you mean the native americans or the other migrants?

Shane: Very convenient that Hazel has a "friend" that worked in a refugee hostel..No stories relayed ,no evidence..Purplemonkeydishwasher syndrome.Like that old chestnut that was going around a few years ago about the pregnant Irish women that was moved out of the ward she was in ,in the Maternity Hospital because the African women had requested it..

Hazel you are entitled to your opinion but it is absolutely illinformed and uneducated..get some facts before throwing about "stories"

@Tomas

That is not necessarily true. International agreements can sometimes result in assylum seekers being sent by the UN to verious countries. This is a good system as it avoids the 1 and 2 million population refugee camps that we saw in Goma in the 1990s..

You don't know these people's circumstances so your claim is bogus.

Maybe rehouse the refugees in the repossesed homes that the CAB will be taking off the gangs..just a thought..
When recession is even hinted at out come the right wingers blaming helpless (foreign) people..
They should allowed the refugees work.whebn they cant find any jobs they will move on or if there are jobs they will work and contribute to the nation.. madness i know but it just might work!

So let me get this right.

I live in Southill. I live in fear of my life everyday. If there isnt shots being fired, there are stolen cars being driven past my house at close to 80/ 90 mph. The cars are then set alght and explode next to my house.

Can I seek asylum and move into the Pier One Hotel?

I can work on my Tan!

Economic migrant
Asylum seeker
Refugee
Bogus Asylum seeker

We all clear on the terms now? Good.

We all want to help those who are stuck. Christianity and all that. A lot of these chaps fall into the later group though I'm afraid. A genuine asylum seeker doesn't cross 8/9 countries to 'flee' persecution.

I'm reminded of those asylum seekers and economic migrants who sailed across the Atlantic from Ireland after the Famine. I believe they were greeted with similar contempt by the good people of America.

interesting, DG hotels have a promotion launched this morning in the height of summer which is offering rooms for 39 euro. so you can get rooms in Patrick Punches- a four star hotel in the first week in July for 39 euro !
Now that might help people to understand more what Sean Lally was on about.

@ Shannaboley, we are in a recession for the last year or more, the government/ersa think tanks are just admitting to it now

To find balance and equal measures of understanding in each side of this type of discussion are near on impossible .......

Hot topic indeed !!!

But if the place is going to be empty ! Surely putting it to use is better..

Lads speaking of recession. How are ye all doing. I believe we're 5 days into it . Any casulties yet?

That hotel could'nt get paying guests, at least its being put to use these people have to live somewhere.We cant stick them all at knocklasheen.

What are you on about ann ? Twas FF running the country for the last few years not "pinky" liberals . If you are angry with anyone it should be the gombeens in charge .

Why can't the council house refugees in all the unoccupied houses in Moyross? Why a Fu~@ing 3 star Hotlel in the city centre? Yeah, thought so, refugees have human rights on their side, law abiding people in Moyross have a fianna Fail Government!

Hazel sez
"i actually had a very good friend who worked in a well known assylum center in limerick city and the stories he used ti tell would make your blood boil"

I know just read this- it isn't a friend of mine- just the well known novelist Mark Haddon, these stories made my blood boil too

Mickeys dried up mickey ...
BLAH BLAH BLAH
There isn't enough money for our schools or healthecare but hotels can be bought in abundance .
Hazel tells it how it is sometimes so what if he's/she's living and working in the UK. Hazels entitled to his or her view .
Every time your on here u bully someone go make a complaint to the gaurds.
Its non stop complaining and namecalling with you.

Pinky lefty liberals give me ire...
i suppose the green party should be pleased that a bus was used for transport and not individual taxis.

Roisin,
'a system that gives care and concern ......' What a crock of shite .
Charity begins at home.
Take care of the problems our society has first.

right point takin but as i said earlier you cant open your mouth these days im not going to change my opioions i know what this is all about
i actually had a very good friend who worked in a well known assylum center in limerick city and the stories he used ti tell would make your blood boil

Just about sums us up. Empty hotels because nobody wants to come to our crass, brash, over-priced, wet, violent, spoiled brat of a country. And seemingly they especially don't want to come to Limerick. And we all know why. And the reason is not the asylum seekers.

Hazel, I don't know where you live now or where you have travelled or what you have seen, but it is indeed sad that your heart is so hard and your spirit so impoverished as to be outraged by a system that gives care and concern and treats with common decency people who want better lives for themselves and for their children and who don't feel that is possible in their countries of origin. Maybe this recession will force the system to change but if we shut our doors and our hearts completely then ultimately we ourselves will lose the most.

The word recession is definitely the buzz word of the week in Limerick.
I work in a city centre store and the amount of people whinging about it is unreal. Ok Life economically isnt as good as it used to be but there's no epidemic.
You'd swear we were heading back to the 80s and we'll have to do a franky mccourt and head to america.

Calm down people.

Mickey'sMickey said

"Ireland is a big country and there is room for a lot more people."

The economy is going down the pan, you're a wum, it's well known by now, please don't rat me to the cops. Hazel made some good points.

I wrote in my last comment - "I am sure if Hazel knew the correct level of emigration and assylun application to Ireland I think he would be surprised. Its the large scale that his paranoid prejudices would have us believe."

I meant to say "Its not the large scale that his paranoid prejudices would have us believe."

well we are in the middle of a recession now , lets see how accepting the Irish are now when we cant find jobs in our own country.

Hi Hazel,
Maybe you should read the story?
The last paragraph(in leader) might shed some light on things. Maybe you would prefer that the sarsfield bridge had cobwebs over it. Most people who live in the city would prefer it to still have some life in it. Now it has.

Considering you don't know anyone that has moved in there maybe you should shut up as to their life stories.

On a similar point squid, is that not a very dodgy post on the boards thread vis a vis another functioning hotel in the city? I wouldn't like to be trying to drum up business for that hotel if people thought it was definitely going to be closing down. I think a Limerick newspaper had to apologise to a suburban hotel for suggesting the same about 18 months ago.

Squid

I don't think you really understand the terms you and Hazel are using.

Economic Migrants are people who work in another country (not their homeland) ie Irish people like Hazel who went to work in the UK or the USA.

Assylum Seekers are people who have come to another country seeking refuge as their life would be in danger if they remained their home country. ie such as the people who live in the Knockalisheen centre.

Refugees are people who have been granted refugee status after seeking assylum.

I don't for a second believe that all who seek assylum are genuine but I would bet this is at the low end of the scale.

I am sure if Hazel knew the correct level of emigration and assylun application to Ireland I think he would be surprised. Its the large scale that his paranoid prejudices would have us believe.

In fact I would believe most people would be unsettled by the amount of applications rejected and the numbers sent back to their home countries to face death, torture or the misery of being poor.

Ireland is a big country and there is room for a lot more people.

Mickey'sMickey Says:......"These posts border on incitement and I am thinking of reporting this to An Gardai Siochana."

Go ahead and report it. They will fall about laughing at you like I am doing now!

"These posts border on incitement and I am thinking of reporting this to An Gardai Siochana"

Is there is a bigger muppet than this clown ha ha ha.

Hazel I have seen these people come to Ireland and invite every relative they have back in their own countries over here because of all the handouts. It is true that a lot of them are lazy but I dont blame them one bit. Its our governments fault and thats the bottom line. We are in a recession and they are leasing out hotels for these people.

CALM YOURSELF DOWN MICKS MICKEY AND DONT BE GETTING SO HYPER
IM NOT AN ECONOMIC MIGRANT
I WORK AND PAY MY TAXES
I CHOSE TO LIVE ABROAD BECAUSE IM ACTUALLY MARRIED TO A NON IRISH BORN
WHERE IVE A PROBLEM IS THESE PEOPLE EXPECT TO BE ACCOMIDATED WHEN THEY CHOSE TO MOVE HERE KNOWING QUITE WELL THAY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK

Request noted and denied

There is a difference between an economic migrant and a refugee.

Oh, and as obhorrant as hazels views are to me she is still as intitled to them as you are to yours.

Considering the author of these posts is in fact an economic migrants himself and doesn't even live in this country I request that the editors remove these posts.

These posts border on incitement and I am thinking of reporting this to An Gardai Siochana.

OK hazel you have made your point...

according to some source in limerick apparently a bus load of africans were ssen unloading from a bus suit cases in hand earlier on today
word has got round already it seems
mayby the stupit government we have should advertise it as
FREE HOILIDAYS FOR ALL NON NATIONALS
HOTEL AND MEALS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE IN FACT BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY

havent we enough HOTELS for these people all over ireland
ya call me racist i dont care but as far as im concerned we as acountry are been takin for a ride
why cant it be like austrailia where they house these economic migrants in purpose built compound

oh for god sake here we go again