Galway’s new asylum centre is over sex shop

The Department of Justice has announced that it is to lease 30 apartments and five townhouses in Galway City for the accommodation of asylum seekers as part of a process to overhaul the Direct Provision System – the centre will have a capacity for 140 residents.

Situated on Dominick Street Upper, the apartments are located over 4 Aces Casino, Laura Jane adult shop and other retail units, backing onto Munster Avenue where additional apartments and the town houses are situated.

Previously used for short-term lets and student accommodation, the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) has detailed how the one and two bedroom units have been leased for an initial period of two years from Keldesso Ltd, a company owned by the family of property developer Michael McDonagh.

The first five families will move in this month and will be transferred from existing ‘congregated accommodation’ in Galway, adhering to new standards for Direct Provision adopted by Government last year.

IPAS has outlined how all residents will have access to an in-house foodhall where groceries can be obtained using a cashless system, replacing the structure in existing centres where residents are unable to prepare their own meals.

There will also be a communal area on the ground floor of the apartments with a reception office and meeting rooms for residents. A children’s play facility, library and games room will also be provided.

Read the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in now – or download our digital edition at www.connachttribune.ie