As the bus travels a few kilometers south of the border with Northern Ireland, three Gardai, Irish police officers, make their way down the aisles, scanning the rows of passengers.
Leading the Garda National Immigration Bureau is Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock.
“We bring them to Dublin if they don’t have the necessary status to be in Ireland,” he explains. “On the same day, they are removed on a ferry back to the UK.”
Asylum applications in Ireland have experienced a significant increase of almost 300% this year, in comparison to the same period five years ago. The surge in arrivals from the UK can be attributed to several factors, including the UK’s more stringent approach following Brexit and concerns over potential deportations to Rwanda. Additionally, Ireland’s relatively stable economy has also contributed to the rise in applications.
Most asylum seekers who come from the UK to the Republic of Ireland enter the country through Northern Ireland. Unlike the airport or ferry routes, there is no passport control at the border, making it an attractive entry point. The only means of preventing illegal entry is through the checks conducted by the Garda along the 500km-long (310 miles) border.
According to Det Ch Supt Minnock, the checkpoints have led to the return of 200 individuals to the UK this year. However, this number is believed to be only a small portion of those who are illegally crossing the porous border.
According to recent data, the number of individuals who have entered Ireland illegally and subsequently received deportation orders has surged by 156% compared to the corresponding timeframe in 2023, with the figure exceeding 2,000. Surprisingly, only a small fraction of these individuals, specifically 129 people, have actually left the country, accounting for just over 6% of the total. In response to this concerning trend, the government has announced plans to initiate chartered deportation flights in the near future, as well as allocate more immigration Gardai to fieldwork by reducing their desk duties.
Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock states that he comprehends the underlying motivations that drive individuals to seek asylum.
As the young man boards the coach near the border, the Gardai start questioning him about his place of residence. He calmly informs them that he is Algerian and a student. However, their suspicions arise, leading to his transfer to the detention vehicle for further verification of his identity.
Det Ch Supt Minnock has firsthand experience in investigating war crimes in post-war Bosnia as part of an EU police team. This has given him valuable insight into the violence and poverty that often act as catalysts for migration.
According to him, the rapid growth of this phenomenon is largely due to the prevailing conflict and instability worldwide.
Ireland’s chronic housing problem is closely tied to public concern over immigration. The country now holds the unfortunate distinction of having the worst housing record for young people in the European Union.
According to Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, the crisis can be described as a “perfect storm”. This crisis has been fueled by various factors, including the long-standing failure to construct an adequate amount of housing over the years. Additionally, the government was ill-prepared to handle the sudden increase in asylum seekers, referred to as International Protection Applicants (IPAs) in Ireland, who require assistance with finding suitable accommodation.
According to the statement, the government can only offer accommodation through private contractors. This, combined with a growing number of individuals seeking asylum in Ireland and a housing crisis, has resulted in the collapse of Ireland’s asylum reception system.
Over the past three years, the state’s International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) has seen a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers it accommodates. The figure has more than quadrupled, rising from 7,244 to 32,649 people. Additionally, Ireland has welcomed over 100,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge and were granted a separate status.
Thousands of international protection applicants, including those who have already been granted asylum in Ireland and others who are still awaiting processing, have been relocated to various communities across the country. These individuals are being accommodated in a range of facilities, including hotels, former schools, apartments, and even large tented camps.
Ireland is currently facing a housing shortage, which is causing difficulties for individuals who have been granted asylum in the country. As more asylum seekers arrive, the limited housing options make it challenging for those in the temporary system to find permanent accommodation. The situation has become so dire that nearly 1,000 people are now residing in tented accommodation.
Rows of tents housing asylum seekers were pitched along Dublin’s Grand Canal in May this year.
The village of Dundrum, County Tipperary – with a population of 221 – witnessed a makeshift response from some locals who tried to prevent the arrival of asylum seekers at the gates of a former hotel in August. The plan to accommodate up to 277 individuals at Dundrum House, which has not functioned as a hotel since 2015, has raised concerns among the residents. They fear that this arrangement might become a permanent fixture and effectively double the local population.
Andrea Crowe, a local teacher and protester who frequently speaks out, questions why the government fails to effectively engage with its citizens. She raises concerns about the community’s access to housing, healthcare, and education.
Andrea Crowe, a protester, believes that the government neglected to engage with the community before relocating the asylum seekers to Dundrum House.
The protest outside Dundrum House has been ongoing for over 180 days.
Since July, there has been an ongoing protest outside the hotel for 24 hours straight. Ms. Crowe, whose family used to own the Dundrum House hotel, is accusing the government of neglecting to engage with the community, which is a widespread grievance across the country.
“How can we not be concerned?” she asks.
The Dundrum House currently houses a vibrant community of approximately 80 women and children from IPAS. In addition to this group, there is also a separate community of Ukrainian families who sought refuge following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
According to several locals, there is a concern that the arrival of single men, who account for 35% of asylum seekers in Ireland this year, may lead to the displacement of women and children. However, there is currently no evidence to support this claim in Dundrum.
Martin Barry, a local builder, points to the housing crisis as a primary factor behind his protest, specifically highlighting the challenges faced by his eldest son. “My own son is unable to afford a rental property,” he reveals.
Martin Barry is among a rotating group of approximately twelve individuals who have been protesting outside Dundrum House.
Martin Barry’s concerns extend beyond his personal experiences. They reflect the underlying apprehension about change prevalent in certain rural areas. The closure of the dance hall, where he first encountered his wife, and the sale of the local pub are tangible manifestations of this unease. Additionally, there were expectations that Dundrum House would be revitalized and serve as a valuable asset for the community.
He expresses his concern about what lies ahead.
At Dundrum House, we encounter two South African women who have sought shelter. These women were relocated from their previous accommodation in Dublin, which was approximately 180km (110 miles) away. The reason for their displacement was to accommodate newer arrivals in the capital, including individuals who were forced to sleep in tents on the streets.
Two women, who wish to remain anonymous, shared their experiences. One, who goes by the name “Lerato,” had been living in Dublin for a year. She had successfully integrated into society, made friends, and her child was attending school. She felt comfortable and content. On the other hand, her friend “Kayla” felt isolated in Dundrum, a farming community with limited transportation options.
Two women claim that they were relocated to Dundrum from Dublin with only five hours’ notice.
Far-right parties have not gained significant support in opinion polls, but concerns about immigration are being expressed through the support for independent candidates. However, it is online platforms where far-right agitators are fueling fear. This has led to disturbing incidents such as violent riots and arson attacks on locations intended for housing asylum seekers. Additionally, refugees have been targeted and attacked while residing in tents on the streets of Dublin.
There is a prevalent conspiracy theory suggesting that migrants are being strategically placed in Ireland with the intention of overpowering the Irish population and eradicating their cultural identity.
During the Dundrum House protest, we came across two posters that mentioned a “plantation.” The online GoFundMe page for Dundrum, although it is no longer active, made references to Ireland’s “indigenous” population and their struggle for survival, as well as the government’s alleged actions of inundating communities with asylum seekers.
We asked Andrea Crowe, a prominent voice of the Dundrum protest, if she feels at ease with someone like that being involved. Ms. Crowe mentioned that she doesn’t really follow social media much and believes it is not her responsibility to control how others react. However, she did express that she feels uneasy about it.
In County Tipperary, there are individuals and groups who are actively supporting and welcoming asylum seekers. A coalition of 17 different organizations has united under the banner of “Tipperary Welcomes” in response to the protest in Dundrum. They are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for those seeking asylum.
John Browne, a member of the community council, believes that the issue of immigration is a divisive one. According to him, he personally does not have any objections to it because he recognizes that his community is relatively prosperous compared to the dire circumstances in certain parts of Africa, which is the origin of most of these immigrants.
“But he strongly disagrees with the population figures in smaller areas like Dundrum. It creates an imbalance within the community and offers little for the incoming residents.”
During our recent encounter, we had the opportunity to speak with Roderic O’Gorman, the Minister for Integration in Ireland. Our conversation took place while he was actively campaigning in Dublin for the upcoming General Election, scheduled for 29 November. It was quite evident that Minister O’Gorman’s security had been heightened, as he now had two police guards accompanying him during his canvassing efforts. This precautionary measure was implemented following an unfortunate incident where he was physically assaulted by an individual protesting against immigration.
Ireland’s Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, emphasizes that the state is actively fostering stronger connections with local communities.
According to Mr. O’Connor, asylum seekers are welcomed in many areas.
He says that there are communities everywhere that are actually embracing and supporting.
But he acknowledges that there were some failures. “I understand that in the early stages of our response, there were moments when we didn’t engage as much as we should have,” he admits.
The residents in Dundrum claim that despite the existence of Community Engagement Teams, their interactions have been limited. They express frustration over having had only one meeting with these teams and feeling uninformed about the hotel’s future plans.
The dance hall in Dundrum has closed down, and now the village pub is up for sale.
The official policy is becoming more strict. Ukrainian asylum seekers, who were initially welcomed with empathy and provided with special benefits, have recently experienced a significant reduction in their weekly allowance. The allowance has been slashed from €232 (£190) to €38.80 (£32), representing a drastic cut of 83%.
South Africans are now required to obtain visas in order to enter the country. The loophole that previously allowed Jordanians, who were once the largest group of asylum seekers in Ireland, to enter from the UK has now been closed.
Concerns about immigration have not led to significant electoral support for far-right parties. According to Nick Henderson at the Refugee Council, this does not have to be the case in Ireland. He believes that communities are willing to welcome people, but they require adequate resources and effective communication.
The upcoming electoral cycle will not alter the perception of the Republic as a stable and progressive democracy. However, the global surge in far-right populism serves as a cautionary tale for the future. It highlights how immigration concerns can become a focal point for various dissatisfactions, leading to turbulent political landscapes.