Protesters gathered outside Columb Barracks at 7pm on Thursday and marched towards the market square in central Mullingar.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that Mullingar Barracks would be under consideration for the temporary accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers.
Leaflets distributed during the protests titled “Mullingar Says No”, said organisers “do not condone violence”.
It said: “It has been confirmed that the Department of Defence are planning to put between 200 and 600 of single, military aged men, into tents in the grounds of the barracks in Mullingar. There are also unconfirmed reports that there is a plan to house up to 1,700 in the building itself. This will have a devastating effect on the vulnerable people currently being cared for by the 30+ voluntary groups within the confines of the barracks and for the wider community in the peaceful town in Mullingar. It’s time our government answered to us. We need to stop this now, or there will be nothing left of Ireland for our children and grandchildren,” reports Independent.
Some protesters carried Irish flags and sometimes some people shouted “enough is enough” during the protest.
Meanwhile the the decent citizens of Mullingar say they’ll be back out in force with larger protests planned in the coming days and weeks ensuring that the government hears their rational concerns.
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