Drogheda hotel to become accommodation centre for international protection applicants

The D hotel in Drogheda is to be used as accommodation for people seeking international protection it was announced today.

The D hotel in the centre of the Co Louth town has 113 bedrooms and has capacity to accommodate 500 people.

The news that the hotel would be used for International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation from next month was communicated to elected representatives in the area today.

The briefing, from the Department of Integration, said that all relevant State support services in the area have been informed of the move and are preparing what additional supports will be needed to assist the people who are accommodated in the hotel.

Deputy Mayor of Drogheda Kevin Callan said the move will decimate the towns economy

The mayor added that the announcement came without any prior consultation with Louth County Council or the Elected Representatives of the Council .

The decision according to Cllr Callan will impact on the town in the form of business closures and job losses.

"The facts in this instance are very clear, a deal has been done by the hotel to sign over the accommodation capacity to provide accommodation in the very heart of a historic tourist destination town which has benefitted greatly from having so many visitors to the area and the Boyne Valley who base themselves in the heart of the town," he said.

"This decision taken by the hotel without any notification to the elected representatives of the town or to our County Council officials who have worked so hard to develop tourism and the Boyne Valley initiative in particular is disgraceful and will devastate businesses in the town," added Callan.

"Whilst the decision will no doubt be extremely beneficial to those who own the hotel it will impact on restaurants, cafes, our museum, shops and all associated activity in the town.

"I will be requesting elected members of the Borough District of Drogheda meet as a matter of urgency to discuss approaching the minister responsible to intervene."