It's the political issue that has divided the nation so far in 2023 — anti-refugee protests, as Ireland opened its doors to record numbers seeking protection.
Demonstrations were held at accommodation sites across the country, from tight-knit rural communities in the west of Ireland to the inner city streets of the capital.
The vast majority of residents had serious, genuine concerns — such as increased pressure on already overstretched facilities like housing or health or the overnight arrival of undocumented men.
READ MORE: Inside East Wall refugee centre as asylum seekers want to join protests
They stressed they should not be conflated with the ugly, extreme end, such as the shocking burning of tents of asylum seekers in Dublin city centre in May.
So as we pass the halfway point of the year, where does the row over refugee accommodation stand? Have we progressed?
Since the end of last year — and kicking off in the new year — the unprecedented number of asylum seekers arriving here has caused conflict.
Locals felt the lack of prior consultation was underhanded and furthered distrust.
Within days of their arrival, people took to the streets. In areas where locals heard of the buildings earmarked for asylum seekers, sit-down protests were organised to prevent them moving in.
It was mostly in working-class places, such as Fermoy in Cork, Inch in Clare along with Ballymun, Tallaght, Santry, and East Wall in Dublin.
The exclusive Dublin 4 postcode is home to only six of the 7,772 International Protection applicants currently being accommodated by the State in Dublin.
One of the first focal points of these clashes was East Wall, a small neighbourhood close to Dublin Port.
Locals began to block traffic in protest after busloads of — initially — single men were brought into an old ESB office building.
Protesters held signs with such slogans as: “Caring about Irish people isn’t far right.”
It was the catalyst for other demonstrations around Ireland that made international headlines.
Seven months on, the regular protests have stopped but many from the East Wall community are still seething with the Government.
Lawyer and activist Malachy Steenson said those living in the area are hesitant to speak publicly fearing they will be branded “far right” or “racist”.
He said they are finding it increasingly difficult to get GP appointments.
Figures released by the Department of Integration to the Irish Daily Star show 478 International Protection Applicants are being housed in the old ESB building on the East Wall Road.
Malachy, who is a solicitor and criminologist from the area, told the Irish Daily Star: “Before East Wall, people were afraid to talk about it.
“We are not opposed to immigration, we are opposed to the current immigration policy which seeks to increase the population without increasing the services.”
He added: “Nobody mentions Irish homelessness, nobody mentions Irish people living in B&Bs and hotels.”
The Irish Daily Star understands that the asylum centre does not have an in-house medical centre and GPs from the locality have been used.
One local resident: “East Wall is a multicultural neighbourhood, it always has been. It happened organically, over time.
“This isn’t about race, colour, or religion, it’s about the Government not consulting with the community.”
Last week, Independent TD Michael McNamara from Clare raised the issue about the pressure refugees were having on the GP services in his area. in the Dail.
Mr McNamara said: “We simply cannot pretend that new people arriving does not create additional pressures in a community. It does. If people do not speak English fluently, or at all in some instances, it will create additional difficulties in that consultation periods are longer.”
Lucky Khambule, who is the co-founder of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, said communities should direct their frustration at the Government.
The South African activist said locals should be informed when refugees are moved into their area.
“It’s a problem when (communities) have not been informed of the possible people coming into their town,” he said.
The Irish Daily Star contacted the Department of Integration about the claims the asylum centre was affecting locals getting GP appointments.
It said refugees’ “health requirements” were “mainstreamed” through the HSE and told us to contact them with “questions pertaining to GP appointments.”
This paper understands the lease on the old ESB building to house refugees expires in November.
We contacted the HSE, which said: “The Department cannot comment on contractual matters and cannot be expected to negotiate its business in a public forum.”
