Financial Deals Behind Conversion of Properties to Refugee Centres Unveiled…
Dublin: Recent reports have unveiled significant financial transactions behind the conversion of numerous houses and buildings, including the former factory in Coolock, into International Protection Applicant (IPA) accommodation centers. These revelations come amid escalating protests against repurposing these locations as refugee centres.
The former Crown Paints site in Coolock has become particularly contentious due to its designation for refugee housing. The financial background of the owning company has raised further concerns.
The company reportedly received €23 million since last year for providing accommodation to Ukrainians and IP applicants. Starting in 2020, the company has received tens of thousands of euros from the government. Media sources indicate that there are many such sites across the country.
No financial statements have been published by the company since June 2019, and its profit margins remain undisclosed. It is one of ten companies that have received government payments to provide accommodation for Ukrainians and refugees.
The decision to convert the site into a hostel for refugees was made in April. The site is registered under a company called Townbay Unlimited, with Cork developers Paul Collins and Tanya Hennigan, and Swiss national Melanie McGarry serving as directors.
Collins previously made headlines in 2020 following a COVID-19 outbreak at a Direct Provision Centre he managed in Cahersiveen, Kerry. During the pandemic, refugees were reportedly housed in overcrowded and inhumane conditions, leading to a hunger strike and the subsequent closure of the centre. It reopened in 2022 to house Ukrainian refugees.
The opposition to converting the Coolock factory on Malahide Road into a refugee centre has been intense. Over the past few days, there have been five fires and various violent incidents, including the torching of Garda vehicles and the arrest of numerous protesters.
Bomb Hunt’ in Coolock
Gardaí have gathered evidence supporting allegations of pre-planned violence at the protest against the Coolock refugee center. A search conducted last Tuesday near the former Crown Paints factory uncovered equipment believed to be used for making petrol bombs. The site has experienced daily fires since last Thursday.
Recovered items include a liquid suspected to be petrol, plastic bottles, plastic bottles mixed with paint and oil, and packets of water balloons. These items have been sent for further technical examination and analysis. The R District Drugs Unit and Coolock District Detective Unit are searching the Motfield Avenue and Dunry Park areas, collecting CCTV and social media footage of the violent incidents.
Former Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan has criticised the Garda’s handling of the Coolock issue, suggesting better training and equipment, such as helmets, should have been provided to Garda members. The Garda Representative Association has also complained that officers managing the protests are not receiving adequate security.
The incident where Gardaí were hospitalised indicates that the force has not learned from the riots in Dublin city centre in November 2023, O’Sullivan said.
An incident room has been opened at Coolock Garda Station as part of the investigation. Gardaí have invited witnesses to come forward and provide evidence.
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