Investigation into 'serious criminal damage' at Athlone asylum seeker centre after storm

Gardai say they are investigating an incident of serious criminal damage caused to the tented asylum seeker accommodation centre at Lissywollen, Athlone, in the immediate aftermath of Storm Éowyn last Friday.

One of the large service tents at the accommodation centre was seriously damaged by the extremely strong winds on Friday morning, but a Garda spokesperson said the storm's impact was followed by vandalism at the centre.

"Gardaí are investigating an incident of serious criminal damage to temporary structures at a residential complex in Lissywollen, Athlone, that occurred around 12 midday on Friday, January 24," stated the Garda press office.

"There were no residents present at the time, as all residents had been relocated to other locations for the duration of Status Red and Orange Wind warnings associated with Storm Éowyn."

The Garda spokesperson said a technical examination by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit has been conducted at the centre, and that "investigations into all of the circumstances of this incident" were ongoing.

Athlone councillor Aengus O'Rourke, who is one of the local councillors taking a legal action against the establishment of the centre, condemned any vandalism which occurred there.

"My goal has always been to hold the State to account, reverse the Minister's order to house 1,000 people at the site, and have the State remove everything and return the site to its original condition prior to October 2024," said Cllr O'Rourke.

"Vandalism will not help our cause.

"I have no problem with peaceful protests at the boundary of the complex, but I would stress that no one should trespass on the site or engage in criminal behaviour of any kind."

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said the 185 male international protection applicants at the centre had returned there after being accommodated indoors during the storm.

"One of the large service tents was damaged," the Department said, "and work is underway to repair it.

"The tent that was damaged was not being used to provide accommodation to residents, and the site remains fully operational."

The latest hearing in the Athlone councillors' legal challenge over the centre took place at the High Court on Monday. See here.