Barriers replace tents amid Dublin asylum crisis

Kevin Sharkey - Reporter
·2 min read
Tents along Grand Canal in Dublin
Tents were erected on long stretches of the canal bank [BBC]

New steel barriers along Dublin's Grand Canal have been described as "architectural vandalism".

The structures have been erected on long stretches of the canal bank in response to the growing asylum crisis in the city.

Dublin TD Gary Gannon, from the Social Democrats, believes the barriers are damaging the image of "one of the most beautiful parts of the city".

He also says they are impacting on the local community.

The authorities initially installed barriers along a small section of the canal last week after state agencies ordered more than 160 men to leave dozens of tents they had pitched in the area.

Dublin TD Gary Gannon at the canal
Dublin TD Gary Gannon says the canal should remain as an amenity for Dublin citizens [BBC]

"It's almost like it's imprisoned," said Mr Gannon.

He continued: "It's architectural vandalism. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the city and the state does not get to come in here and remove this as an amenity for the citizens of Dublin."

He says the erection of the barriers "is not a plan" and represents "a failure of the government" to prepare for the current crisis.

The authorities initially installed barriers along a small section of the canal last week after state agencies ordered more than 160 men to leave dozens of tents they had pitched in the area.

Steel barriers along the Grand Canal in Dublin
The steel barriers were erected along the canal to deter more tents being put up by asylum seekers [BBC]

Those who had been occupying the tents were transferred to temporary accommodation provided by the Irish Government.

Many of the men had travelled to Ireland in previous weeks seeking asylum.

Within days, another smaller encampment was set up nearby. It was also cleared and replaced with more barriers.

Since then, the authorities have been taking pre-emptive action.

Additional steel barriers have now been erected along a lengthy stretch of the canal to prevent any more tents from being pitched in the area.

Patrick Kavanagh statue with steel barriers in background
The barriers are also erected in spaces around a statue of the renowned Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh [BBC]

Sam Corbett is a boat tour operator on the canal, and he says the barriers are damaging tourist experiences.

He said : "There are so many international businesses and international embassies in the local area, and they come down here and see this".

Tour boat operator Sam Corbett at the canal
Tour boat operator Sam Corbett says the barriers make it look like there is "an impending riot" [BBC]

"It's just dreadful for our little businesses here on the canal," he added.

The authorities have erected the steel barriers as a temporary measure until accommodation can be provided for people who are approved for asylum in Ireland.

However, locals are worried that it could be some considerable time before the structures can be removed from the banks of the canal.