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FIVE sisters have set up a petition as a reaction to the recent protest at Linden House in Killarney.

The protest, which took place in December as the first of 55 male asylum seekers moved into the former guesthouse on New Road, saw picketers call for solutions to the homelessness crisis.

Concerns were also raised about an absence of consultation between the Department of Justice and the community on the decision as to the use of Linden House.

Augustine, Mala, Martina, Julianna and Ava O'Donoghue, originally from Barraduff, said they found the image of the protest “very disturbing” and felt it targeted “a vulnerable group living in Killarney”. “Asylum seekers, like those in Killarney, have fled war, persecution and torture. The idea that they are in some way privileged or favoured over the so-called ‘native’ Irish is completely false,” they stated.

They added: “Homelessness is not caused by or exacerbated by asylum seekers or immigrants.”

Focusing on one house in Killarney where asylum seekers are seeking refuge “is outrageous and complete flawed”, added the sisters. “The solution to the housing crisis is to build more social housing and utilise the existing 180,000 homes that currently lie empty," said Mala.

The sisters set up the petition at Change.org

At the protest, Independent councillor Donal Grady addressed the gathering, before handing in a petition stating the concerns of the protesters, outlining the lack of consultation with the community. “Firstly, to make clear we believe that people from war-torn areas like Iraq and Syria should be accepted in our country,” Cllr Grady said before outlining concerns about the lack of consultation."

Days ahead of the confirmation that Linden House would be used as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers, Kerry County Council member Donal Grady had called for the property to open its doors to homeless people in Killarney.
 

 
Above: Ava and Martina O'Donoghue with their petition.