Thirty-five women asylum seekers and 10 children, the youngest two weeks old, have been given six days' notice to move from their accommodation in New Ross, Co Wexford, to other reception centres around the country.
Two community groups last night expressed concern over the planned removal by Thursday of the asylum seekers from the Old Rectory. New Ross Community Development Project (NRCDP) and the New Ross Intercultural Group yesterday issued a joint statement following a letter sent to the asylum seekers by the Reception and Integration Agency last Friday saying they were to be moved.
In a statement yesterday, some of the women thanked the people of New Ross for the way they were accepted into the town. "With the community's help and understanding we were able to socialise and integrate with ease."
The statement highlighted the goodwill exhibited by the people of New Ross towards them. "We will greatly miss the community of New Ross that welcomed us and made us feel comfortable. We will truly never forget our experiences there." There was no comment from the Reception and Integration Agency yesterday.
Conor Dervan, the NRCDP's project co-ordinator, said local people were sad and frustrated about the move. Some of the women and children had been living in New Ross for over two years and had become fully integrated with the local community. "We are extremely frustrated by the limited notice given to them and the complete lack of consultation with the women, the local community and local agencies."
He also said the two community groups were dissatisfied with the fact that "no reason" was given for the women being moved. "The letter sent to them fails to outline the reason for their move, fails to offer any kind of apology or even mild regret for the upheaval caused to the women, their children and their friends in the community."