Dublin: The High Court concluded that the Irish state violated human rights legislation by failing to house almost 3,000 foreign protection seekers since last year. This decision followed a case brought by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) welcomed the ruling, noting that the State’s failure to meet the basic needs of homeless asylum seekers violated their fundamental rights and human dignity. The UNHCR urged the Irish Government to provide immediate accommodation for all asylum seekers, highlighting that 2,353 recent arrivals remain without housing.
During the three-day hearing in May, IHREC argued that the State’s inadequate provision of shelter, food, and hygiene facilities breached the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Irish Constitution. Mr. Justice Barry O’Donnell affirmed that international protection applicants have a right to human dignity, including adequate living standards to ensure their well-being, and found the State’s response insufficient, violating Article 1 of the Charter.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee defended the government’s efforts, citing the significant increase in asylum seekers and refugees and emphasising the need for more State-provided accommodation and larger centres. The court will finalise the orders on October 11.
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