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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Danny De Vaal

Second protest takes place in East Wall after 'male-only' asylum seekers housed in old ESB building

A second protest took place in Dublin this evening after male asylum-seekers were housed in an old ESB building in East Wall.

Hundreds of residents, who took to the streets, said they were not consulted about the decision and revealed they only found out what was happening through social media on Friday evening.

Demonstrators temporarily blocked traffic on the East Wall Road during the protest which began at 5pm outside the old ESB building where up to 380 people can be accommodated.

READ MORE: Garda in hospital after being kicked and punched in horrific group attack outside Ballyfermot pub

This evening's protest follows a similar one that took place on Saturday where up to 300 people attended.

Dublin North Inner City Independent Councillor Nial Ring said those living in the community were upset about the lack of consultation.

Ring, who attended Saturday's protest, said he believed those who were moved into the building were not recent arrivals and were brought from other parts of the country.

He also said locals would open their hearts to those fleeing war but the lack of consultation had caused anger in the local community.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are expected to distribute leaflets to all residents in the area over the next week, according to reports.

Officials said the office building had been converted into an accommodation centre as a result of extraordinary pressure on Ireland's international protection system.

They also said the decision was made following a lack of available accommodation for international protection applicants.

In response to tonight's protest, Gardai told The Irish Mirror: "Local Gardai were in attendance at a protest in the East Wall area of Dublin on Monday, 21st November 2022.

"The protest passed off without incident. The road has reopened."

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