Around 65 women were “left distraught at the side of the road” yesterday after letters from the International Protection Accommodation Service gave them a 48-hour eviction notice on Monday.
IPAS is understood to have sent six taxis and a bus from Dublin to Galway on Wednesday morning to take 42 women to unknown accommodation locations in counties Dublin, Offaly and Kildare.
The remaining 23 single women under eviction have opted to remain in accommodation on the Doughiska Road, despite catering services being withdrawn.
Local councillor Alan Cheevers (FF ) said there were “emotional” scenes as he and fellow City East Councillor Helen Ogbu (Lab ) tried to assist the women living in emergency accommodation “left distraught at the side of the [Doughiska] Road”.
“These people all have jobs here in Galway, some are starting college here in September, and now they’ve been whisked away to – I’m told - Dublin 1, Dublin 6 and Dublin 18, without knowing where they’ll end up,” said Cllr Cheevers.
Councillor Ogbu said she was concerned about the mental and physical health of some women. “Some have upcoming hospital appointments in Galway. One has a broken ankle and is on crutches. The way these people are being treated is inhumane,” she said.
Both Cheevers and Ogbu remarked on the expense to the taxpayer of sending Dublin taxis to Galway.
“Many of these women work in hospitality or care. What’s going to happen to their jobs during the Arts Festival and Race Week?” asked Cllr Ogbu. “I know IPAS is entitled to move people at short notice, but if they were tenants they’d at least get a month. The lack of communication between the Department [of Justice] and the local council is appalling.”
Last week there were protests in Galway following eviction notices being issued by IPAS to 50 families residing in direct provision centres in the city.
