Proposals for IPAS accommodation in Oldcastle

Proposals to accommodate International Protection Applicants in an Oldcastle hotel have been with widespread concern in the locality.

Meath County Council has received an application for a declaration of exempted development for the premises at Cogan Street in the town, and a decision is due by 31st March.

Cllr Peter Caffrey said that the feeling in the area is that they are badly stuck for hotel facilities in the town.

"We have nowhere in the town for tourists to stay and there are a lot of weddings locally but nowhere for people to stay."

He explained that there were a number of Ukrainians accommodated in the premises already, but there had been hopes that the premises would eventually be reopened as a hotel.

"The people of Oldcastle feel they have done their bit. The building hasn't traded as a hotel in over two years, and they had hoped that it will open again in the not too distant future, but these proposals would put an end to that.

"There is a lot of anger out there," said Cllr Caffrey.

A public meeting will be held in Caffeys pub tomorrow night (Thursday) at 8pm to discuss the proposals.