State-funded IHREC issued its challenge in December of 2023 after the Government announced for the second time that it could not accommodate all single adult male arrivals amid “unprecedented pressure” on services.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said it was ‘far cheaper’ for the government to own the facility than pay to use it.

In the second half alone of last year, Igo Cafe Ltd trading as IGO Emergency Management Services received €29.9 million (incl VAT) in State payments for accommodating IP applicants.

The Refugee Council has asked IPAS if they have a cold weather initiative and if they can get a copy of such a policy.

Gardai maintained a presence at the site late on Tuesday evening.

Mary Lou McDonald criticised the Government's approach to choosing locations for accommodation centres, describing it as 'ad hoc' and 'driven by private provision'

IPAS registered a total of 4,775 appeals last year compared to 1,180 in 2022 – an annual increase of over 300 per cent.

The nine arrested are due before Dún Laoghaire District Court on Thursday morning.

International Protection Accommodation Service centres, formerly known as direct provision centres, provide accommodation for people seeking international protection in Ireland.

A diplomatic spat with the UK this week over asylum seekers has brought the topic to the centre of political debate.

More than 110 people have died in protected accommodation since its inception