Oldcastle Hotel no longer under consideration as IPAS centre

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has indicated it is no longer considering housing asylum seekers in an Oldcastle hotel.

Deputy Johnny Guirke has received a response from Minister Norma Foleys Office, which indicated that IPAS had received an offer of accommodation at the Oldcastle House Hotel, but the premises is no longer under consideration.

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

The prosposal had been met with widespread concern.

Cllr Peter Caffrey said that the feeling in the area was 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. They had hoped the building would open again as a hotel in the not too distant future".

Deputy Johnny Guirke had warned that the permanent loss of hotel beds would have a detrimental effect on the town. "We have attractions like Lough Crew and Fore on our doorstep but where for people to stay. We have at least ten businesses in the area bringing people into the area, but they have nowhere to stay."

A public meeting to be held in Caffeys tonight (Thursday) at 8pm to discuss the issue has been cancelled.