‘Disgraceful decision’ slammed by local campaigners.
The d Hotel will begin to accommodate asylum seekers this week, after extensive efforts by local political and business representatives to keep it open to paying guests have failed.
The plan is to begin accepting 500 international protection applicants on a phased basis, after Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman made a final decision rejecting any compromise to keep rooms available to guests.
The move – which has been called “a disgraceful decision” – has been slammed by national and local representatives, as well as business groups in the town, which have campaigned relentlessly for the retention of the 113-bedroomed hotel since the announcement last month.
A letter was received by all interested parties from Minister O’Gorman on Saturday outlining that the dual use proposal for the d Hotel was no longer a viable option and the contract with a reported value of up to €30m will now go ahead as planned.
Speaking on behalf of local councillors, Cllr Kevin Callan expressed great disappointment at the decision, calling their meetings with ministers ‘a waste of time’.