The proposed site of the direct provision centre. Image Newstalk.The withdrawal comes after round-the-clock protests from locals.
An application for a direct provision centre at a hotel in Oughterard, Co Galway has been withdrawn.
The withdrawal comes after round-the-clock protests by locals in recent weeks, at plans to turn the former Connemara Gateway Hotel into a centre to house asylum seekers.
Following discussions with protesters, construction workers are entering the site this morning and removing tools from the hotel.
It’s been confirmed that the owners of the Connemara Gateway Hotel in #Oughterard are pulling out of the deal to locate a Direct Provision Centre at the former hotel
Locals had been holding around the clock protests outside the hotels for over a fortnight @NewstalkFM pic.twitter.com/49zZbKcNxm
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) October 1, 2019
Those involved in the demonstration say they are pleased with the decision to abandon plans for a DP centre.
They say their efforts to secure reforms of the system for dealing with refugees will continue.
It is understood the decision to step back from the tender process followed discussions with officials in the Department of Justice in the last 24 hours.
