Operation to Relocate Asylum Seekers Along Dublin’s Grand Canal

An early morning operation began at 7am on Thursday to dismantle an encampment of asylum seekers along the Grand Canal in Dublin. Gardai were involved in the operation, which saw around 80 tents occupied by male asylum seekers being marked and removed from the site.

Contractors started setting up additional barriers from 5am. Volunteers notified the inhabitants over 90 minutes later, assisting them with packing their belongings. By 6:45am, Gardai started arriving at the scene, and the men were transferred to state-provided shelters via multiple coaches starting at 7am.

This marks the fifth relocation of asylum seekers from Dublin’s city center in recent months. Two previous operations took place at the International Protection Office on Mount Street, and three along the Grand Canal.

The Irish government reports that 1,939 asylum seekers are currently awaiting accommodation. State-provided shelters offer robust, weather-proof tents with amenities including toilets, showers, health services, food, charging facilities, transportation, and 24-hour security.

A young man from Somalia, who has been waiting for accommodation since February, expressed relief at finally having access to such facilities. He also raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and propaganda about the asylum seekers.