Almost 50 asylum seeker tents pitched near Grand Canal

Almost 50 tents housing asylum seekers have been pitched near the Grand Canal in Ranelagh, Co Dublin.

Asylum seekers have been arriving at the encampment on Charlemont Place since Thursday evening, with tents now covering the front entrance of an empty office building there.

According to the latest figures from the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), Ireland received 279 arrivals last week, while 1,014 asylum seekers are currently living in tented accommodation as of 23 June.

One man, who asked not to be named, arrived at Charlemont Place this morning, but could not find space on the site to set up his tent.

A mechanic from Ghana, the 34-year-old said he had to “run for his life” on a “dangerous” journey through Libya, Italy, France and Belfast, arriving in Dublin over a week ago.

He heard about the encampment on social media.

“IPAS gave me a voucher when I arrived and said they were looking for an apartment for me. So, we just have to live on the street until we get a place,” he said.

The man had been staying in a tent outside the International Protection Office in Dublin city centre, but was attacked two nights ago.

“We were chased away, and our tents were destroyed.”

“But there’s no space here, and no water, showers or bathrooms,” he added.

The father of three said he hopes to find a job in Ireland so his family, who are still in Ghana, can join him.

Aubrey McCarthy, founder and chairman of the Tiglin charity told RTÉ News that of the 49 tents currently at the Charlemont encampment, around half have been vacated, as those sheltering there had since been moved to alternative accommodation.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has been contacted for comment.