Residents at Kerry direct provision centre on hunger strike

32 people have gone on hunger strike since this morning.

Image via Google Maps

Residents at a direct provision centre in Co Kerry have gone on hunger strike today.

Since it opened in mid-March it has been criticised due to a high number of Covid-19 cases.

32 people at the former Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen have gone on hunger strike from this morning. The residents are protesting over what they say are unacceptable standards and they want to be moved.

Earlier this year there were more than 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the centre.

Lucky Khambule from the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland says it's a shame people have been pushed to these extremes:

"It's horrible, really horrible because what the officials don't realise that the more they keep people frustrated, it builds up on the people and it does affect their mental health".

Management at the former Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveeen was not available to comment.