A sense of bafflement pervaded the October meeting of Castlebar MD on Wednesday afternoon last, in which several local councillors said they really had no clue what is going on in the town - and even a government TD didn’t know what was going on either.
The information deficit was highlighted by Cllr Donna Sheridan, who raised the matter of a third international refugee protection centre tipped to open at the Breaffy House Resort today (Friday ), saying: “I have no information on the number of Ukrainians coming in or refugees from other countries to Castlebar but I hear we have a third international protection centre opening in this town now.
"I have no issue with refugees but the number we have at the moment, there just are not the wraparound supports available for them. Yesterday we had a crisis with 22 people on trolleys at Mayo General. We don’t have the facilities for that number of people. We have children living in the N5 retail park over business premises now - the businesses weren’t even informed.
"The children are running around, trucks driving in and out and there are not even road markings. I hear from teachers and doctors, the services are not there to support the number of refugees. People in this town already can’t get appointments to see doctors or dentists.
"We’re putting children who don’t speak English into school classes - how is a teacher meant to deal with this situation? People are really concerned and it seems they are just opening centres and there is no communication with the community or businesses. I just don’t know what’s going on. I also spoke to our government TD Micheal Ring this morning and he knew nothing about this new centre either. We are being kept completely in the dark.”
Castlebar MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Kilcoyne agreed 'there is a major problem with communication', adding: “I don’t know what’s happening or who’s coming; and I’m not sure Breaffy is a suitable place for this centre either.”
Cllr Blackie Gavin admitted he too had not the foggiest, saying: “There are people down the town asking us questions and we don’t know what’s going on. A friend of mine is lying in bed for the last five days and can’t get in to see a doctor. In Davitt College they now have 20 Ukrainian students, that is just one example; they cannot take any more, the schools, the health services and the pressure on them all. We just heard here today there are high level talks going on with Mayo County Council to provide student accommodation in the old Military Barracks in town - that’s the first we’ve heard about it - even though we are on the council representing the people of Castlebar. What is going on? Are we just acting our time here as public representatives. People are angry, very angry. If they only tell us what’s going on - at least we can relate it back to people.”
As the head-scratching continued, the Cathaoirleach turned to the Head of Castlebar MD, Iarla Moran, asking “Do you know anything?”, following which it transpired that he was also none the wiser about the new refugee centre or who was in charge of establishing it in Castlebar, with Mr Moran stating: “We’re all aware of Ukrainians refugees coming into our towns but regarding this new international protection centre, I have not been involved at Castlebar MD level and have no information on it.”
Cllr Donna Sheridan noted: "Over the weekend it was suddenly announced that Mayo County Council meetings will no longer be recorded so the public will not be able to see what goes on there. This is the usual lack of consultation through and through. I am delighted to see this meeting is being recorded here today. It's a really useful service at both public and council level and for historic reasons." In the interest of 'openness and transparency' she called to retain the service and was supported by Cllr Blackie Gavin, who said, "From this district, the public recordings will continue, there will be no change in that."
