“Two IPA centres in a small village, is not acceptable,” said a local TD.

A PUBLIC information evening is taking place in Durrow for those opposed to plans that have been submitted to Laois County Council to convert two premises in the town to accommodate asylum seekers.

"I do not want my child walking out of work and coming across those scumbags,” said one woman at the meeting.

The organisers said: "Everyone is asked to support us in protecting our town.” 

A LAOIS property owner is seeking permission to convert his premises to accommodate people seeking international protection under the IPAS Scheme.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said it was ‘far cheaper’ for the government to own the facility than pay to use it.

In the second half alone of last year, Igo Cafe Ltd trading as IGO Emergency Management Services received €29.9 million (incl VAT) in State payments for accommodating IP applicants.

The Refugee Council has asked IPAS if they have a cold weather initiative and if they can get a copy of such a policy.

Gardai maintained a presence at the site late on Tuesday evening.

Mary Lou McDonald criticised the Government's approach to choosing locations for accommodation centres, describing it as 'ad hoc' and 'driven by private provision'

IPAS registered a total of 4,775 appeals last year compared to 1,180 in 2022 – an annual increase of over 300 per cent.

The nine arrested are due before Dún Laoghaire District Court on Thursday morning.

International Protection Accommodation Service centres, formerly known as direct provision centres, provide accommodation for people seeking international protection in Ireland.

A diplomatic spat with the UK this week over asylum seekers has brought the topic to the centre of political debate.

More than 110 people have died in protected accommodation since its inception