Court rulings regarding whether the State can shelter asylum-seekers at an accommodation centre in County Westmeath have been postponed due to the recent establishment of a new government and the anticipated transfer of the immigration portfolio to a new department, reports Breaking News.
In a December challenge to his order allowing the rapid construction of housing for 1,000 male asylum seekers on a property in Lissywollen, Athlone, then-Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman gave in.
The High Court has been awaiting the State’s desired strategy for handling the matter after its capitulation ever since, reports Breaking News.
But Mr. Justice Richard Humphreys was informed on Monday that the State’s stance on the matter is “not as advanced” as had been envisaged.
The “unit” in charge of sheltering asylum-seekers is anticipated to be moved across government ministries as a result of the recent formation of the new government, according to Aoife Carroll SC, the Minister for Integration, reports Breaking News.
In order to give the new minister in charge time to “consider the issues and consider the next steps” in the case, Ms. Carroll stated that she was requesting a delay of the case.
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Paul Hogan, a local independent councillor, filed the challenge, arguing that the ministerial process that produced the accommodation plan was illegal, illogical, and a violation of fair processes, reports Breaking News.
Four additional Athlone-based members, including councillors Frankie Keena and Aengus O’Rourke of Fianna Fáil and John Dolan of Fine-Gael, as well as now Independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, backed Mr. Horgan in his challenge.
On the property, which lies behind an existing direct provision facility, the government intends to accommodate up to 150 tents for asylum seekers. It is suggested that modular modules will ultimately take the place of the tents, reports Breaking News.
The applicant’s attorney, OisÃn Collins SC, voiced dissatisfaction with the proceedings’ delay.
He requested that the court allow the delay on the particular grounds that there was “no additional intensification” in the site’s development or usage.
There are 180 individuals living on the property at the moment, according to Ms. Carroll, reports Breaking News.
She said that there is currently no change in the number of people living there and that the State is upholding the “status quo” with regard to “who is a resident, and the number of residents.”
Justice Humphreys approved Mr. Collins’ request that there be no substantial work done or intensification of site usage, other for routine maintenance, and adjourned the matter until February 17, reports Breaking News.
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