PLANS FOR CITY RALLY AGAINST CLOSURE OF LISBROOK ASYLUM CENTRE

Date Published: 10-Sep-2012

Preparations are underway for a city rally against the closure of Lisbrook asylum centre, on the site of the former Ibis Hotel.

It follows the formation of a local support group headed by Galway West Sinn Fein Senator Trevor O’Clochartaigh, who is calling for a stay of execution on the planned shutdown next month.

Over 270 residents are to be moved as part of the restructuring and 25 staff are set to lose their jobs.

The Department of Justice says the closure is part of an ongoing programme of consolidation of RIA Reception & Integration Agency accommodation.

It says 273 residents there are to be relocated elsewhere with all transfers complete by the end of next month [Oct].

It’s due to an 8 percent decline in numbers with accommodation now being reduced across the country from 60 to 37 such centres.

Senator O’Clochartaigh says the human side of the story is being forgotten by the Department and has called for the public’s support as the group organises a rally in the city on Saturday.