Newbridge IPAS residents evicted at reduced numbers

AN estimated number of 85 residents of the Eyre Powell Hotel remain this week after around 50 others were relocated to IPAS centres in Tipperary and Dundalk last week.

On Tuesday, 11 February, the 137 residents of Eyre Powell IPAS centre in Newbridge received the devastating news that they were all to be moved to centres in Tipperary and Dundalk. This followed the immediate closure of the hotel due to fire safety concerns.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth issued the closure, giving some residents less than 24 hours’ notice of their eviction, leaving no time for goodbyes and very little time to notify employers and schools of their immediate transfer.

While the department has issued a decrease in the amount of residents being evicted, many from the centre were still affected, with buses arriving to relocate people from Wednesday of last week. 

Newbridge For All’s Evonne Boland and the group spent the week assisting residents in any way they could. While Evonne did not condone people living in potentially unsafe conditions, she saw no reason for the serious delay in communication about these evictions from the department. 

She said: “It was very blunt. There was absolutely no need for the urgency and chaos. Communication has been really poor. They really could have organised a more sophisticated response. 

“They should be treating people with more dignity and respect. These are vulnerable people in our society with histories of trauma."

Evonne was delighted that some residents got to stay, even if it is temporarily, but mourns the loss of those who had to leave. 

She worried most for those who had settled and involved themselves in the community.

“The people that will suffer the most are the ones most integrated into the community.” 

The group continues to support residents who have been moved and that are distressed with worries regarding transport to work and college, how to access medical care, find food in respect of allergies and deal with poor accommodation conditions in some of the centres they have been moved to. 

The group wrote in a statement: “We lost some good people, people who were massive assets to our community and we are very sad to see them go and wish them well in their new communities.”

The community had pulled together on this issue, with community groups such as Newbridge For All, supporting residents however they could. Local cllrs and TDs lobbied against the eviction of the residents and worked hard to support them. 

Many were appalled by the situation, including Cllr Chris Pender who said: “The whole situation is f**cking ridiculous. They can’t do this to human beings.” 

The department quickly altered the conditions of the evictions following the huge backlash from local cllrs and Minister Martin Heydon TD, and responded by cancelling the transfers of some residents of the centre who has children in education. 

“While our teams are still working through the urgent response to this issue, it is hoped that families with children in school in the area will not be moved to alternative accommodation. The building may potentially be unsafe at the current capacity and remedial works are needed to resolve this. As a result, it is necessary for IPAS to reduce the approved capacity at this centre, and agree with the provider, and with Kildare County Council, a clear timeline for remedial works to be completed and certified.”