Clare MEP Accuses Government Of "Disregard" For Communties Following New Tented Village Reports

Clare FM

Clare's MEP is accusing the Government of showing a "disregard" for communities in this county through its approach to asylum seeker accommodation. It comes as a video has surfaced on social media which appears to show a newly-erected "tented village" in Knockalisheen in Meelick. A HIQA inspection of the Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre earlier this year found that 52 men were living in tended accommodation on the site - despite the Department of Integration's assurance to Clare FM in January 2023 that the use of tents at Knockalisheen was a "short-term measure". Scariff Independent MEP Michael McNamara has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons he believes the asylum seeker accommodation should be subject to the same planning, consultation and appeal process as any other aspect of public life.