Evicting children from their Tipperary homes ‘morally wrong and unethical’ as kids ask ‘what did we do?’

20 families face being evicted from their homes after promises made by the Government back in 2019 are at risk of being broken.

About 96 International Protection Applicants, including 20 families and 27 children, were moved to the Riverside Centre apartments in Borrisokane in 2019.

At the time, the Department of Justice made an agreement with the Borrisokane locals, that upon receiving asylum, the new families would be allowed to remain in their accommodation under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) or through rental agreements.

Nearly five years later, these families, who have become integral members of the Borrisokane community, are being evicted from their homes despite the promise made by the Government in 2019.

In the past few months, 10 of the 20 families have received eviction notices stating they must be out of the apartments by mid July, with the remaining 10 families also due to get eviction notices soon.

This news has left the local Borrisokane community, who welcomed these families with open arms, furious with the Government and devastated for the families, in particular the 27 primary school children who once again face the prospect of having to move somewhere new.

With July looming, the Borrisokane community gathered to hold a public meeting in a bid to safeguard the futures of the 96 residents of the Riverside Centre.

Sarah Leahy, Principal of Scoil Mhuire Primary School in Borrisokane, spoke on behalf of the 27 children who are facing eviction.

“I am here to voice my devastation and urgent concern regarding the recent eviction of our newcomer families from their accommodation in the Riverside Apartments. Our families come from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Pakistan.

“But before I continue, I would like to take a moment to read aloud some of the voices of our 27 children who wish to be heard: ‘They’re kicking us out’, ‘We might have to go to the camps’, ‘What did we do?’, ‘I cry at night when no one sees’, ‘Are we evicted from school too?, ‘Can we live in school?’,” read Sarah.

Sarah recalled a conversation she had with a mum following her arrival to Borrisokane in November of 2019. This mum had travelled on a bus with many families to Borrisokane and the main worry that kept going around her head was the uncertainty of whether they would be welcomed into area.

However, once the bus turned the corner into Borrisokane, all her worries completely disappeared as she saw the street lined with people cheering welcomes and waving flags with smiles on their faces. She knew at once that her family would be happy in their new home as welcomed members of the community.

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“Our children, who once faced uncertainty and hardship, found stability and a sense of belonging here,” added Sarah. “They have thrived academically and socially, contributing to the vibrant diversity and inclusivity of our school system. Now, they face the unimaginable reality of homelessness and further displacement, which threatens their well-being, their education and their future.

“Evicting the families, a quarter of our primary school’s population, will have severe and far-reaching consequences disrupting our children’s sense of security and consistency, negatively impacting their lives.

“I have been welcomed into homes with kindness and respect. I have had patience shown towards my ignorance as I continue my education in new cultures and ways of life. I have seen weddings in a new light through new customs. I have been fed curries with exotic spices. I have been told stories that reach far beyond the Irish seas. I have enjoyed every bit of it. Now we face the prospect of 27 empty school desks”.

The community of Borrisokane are particularly hurt by the fact that promises made to them nearly five years ago are not being upheld. Anti-immigration protests have become a regular occurrence across the country with many International Protection Applicants finding an increased level of hostility being directed towards them.

However, the International Protection Applicants that were brought to Borrisokane were immediately welcomed by the community.

“Following meetings in 2019 with the Department and the property group themselves, the local community, the local councillors and the council executive had full trust that the agreement made by the Department for the families to remain in the apartments would be honoured. But it has not been honoured,” explained Mags Donnelly, PRO of the Borrisokane Liaison Group.

“We were the unique situation. We were the only place that had an agreement in place with the Department for the residents to be able to stay in the apartments. If they can’t honour this agreement, their word means nothing

“As a community we did exactly what was asked of us. We welcomed in these families with open arms, while protests took place around the country. We have been blessed with these families and they contributing so much to our small community. They have become the fabric of Borrisokane.

“It is just so frustrating that the Government can do this after making that promise to us,” sighed Mags.

Borrisokane’s GP, Dr Rory Glynn, also shares the same concerns of the local community, stating that it is both “unethical and morally wrong” to evict these residents from their homes.

“I have looked after their medical needs for the past five years, and during that time, have learned a great deal about the often terrifying and life-threatening circumstances that forced them from their native countries,” explained Dr Glynn in his impact statement.

“These circumstances have left many of them with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Their psychological issues and mental health problems have, obviously been greatly exacerbated by the imminent threat of homelessness and many are now showing signs of extreme anxiety and depression.”

Dr Glynn added that if these residents were forced to move elsewhere they might struggle to find a new GP, as many GPs, due to huge workloads have now closed their lists.

“This worries me greatly as many of the residents have complex medical needs and some are also attending my practice for maternity services. It is imperative that they should receive continuity of care in a timely manner. Sadly, this is unlikely to happen if the proposed eviction is allowed to take place,” he concluded.

Despite the obstacles faced by the residents and the local community, Borrisokane has stated that they will not give up on the original agreement to allow the families to remain in the Riverside Apartments.

“We stand steadfast in our commitment to the original agreement and totally reject the effort of IPAS to evict the residents from their homes,” stated a defiant Mags Donnelly.

“We stood by the Department when very few across the country would. We welcomed all of the families who are now a part of the fabric of our schools, clubs and workforce.

“We know we have the backing of Borrisokane, our elected officials and members of the county council.”

In a statement to the Irish Independent, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said: “The Department understands that this situation is challenging for both residents of the Riverside Accommodation Centre and the local community in Borrisokane. However we are responding to an emergency situation, and there is an urgent need to provide accommodation for families with children fleeing conflict situations around the world and applying for International Protection here in Ireland.

“When Riverside Accommodation centre opened at the end of 2019, 7,683 people were accommodated in IPAS accommodation. We currently accommodate over 31,000 people and have over 2,000 single men awaiting an offer of IPAS accommodation.

“These residents, like anyone who has been granted Leave to Remain in Ireland following an application for International Protection, are no longer entitled to IPAS-provided accommodation. However, IPAS continues to accommodate those with status, until such time that they progress into the community, including these residents who have been offered a transfer to emergency accommodation.

“The residents who have been offered this transfer will have a form of status of at least 2 years in July 2024. Each family was notified in writing of this in February and March 2024. They were met in the centre in June 2023 and again in March 2024 and advised that a transfer to emergency accommodation was under consideration.

“IPAS has a specific Transition team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities to support residents with status to exit IPAS accommodation and access other housing options.

“Those with status have the same housing entitlements as Irish Citizens and are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, to avail of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation. In addition, those with status have the same social welfare entitlements as Irish Citizens,” concluded the spokesperson.