Gardai Disperse Asylum Seeker Tent Camp from Merrion Square

Gardaí intervened to remove a makeshift camp of around 40 tents set up by asylum seekers on Merrion Square.

The tents were pitched late yesterday evening near Government Buildings on Merrion Street.

At approximately 9 am, Gardai arrived and requested the men to vacate the area, directing them to the International Protection Office on Mount Street. As the men complied or left unoccupied tents, Gardai overturned the tents. The men departed with their belongings, leaving most of the tents behind.

This incident follows a similar operation yesterday around noon at the Grand Canal lock on Leeson Street Bridge, where a comparable number of tents had been erected the previous night. On Wednesday, Gardai had also dispersed a group of more than 40 tents pitched across the road on the city side of Leeson Street Bridge.

Volunteers assisting the asylum seekers have noted that many of these men have been relocated multiple times over recent days. The repeated displacements highlight the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers in finding temporary shelter.

The temporary camps have been set up as the men await processing and accommodation through the International Protection Office. The recurring relocations underscore the urgent need for more stable and humane solutions for asylum seekers.

The presence of these makeshift camps in prominent city locations has drawn attention to the plight of asylum seekers and the pressures on the current system. Public and political discourse continues to focus on finding effective measures to address the accommodation crisis.

Authorities have emphasized the importance of directing asylum seekers to official channels and facilities to ensure their safety and proper processing. However, the repeated dismantling of these camps indicates a gap between policy and the immediate needs of the migrants.

As the situation develops, community groups and volunteers remain actively involved in providing support to the displaced individuals, advocating for more sustainable solutions to the ongoing crisis.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

See Full Bio