Advocates for asylum seekers have questioned why a Nigerian man who was relocated from Co Kildare to Galway last week had to sleep rough after he was refused entry to the direct provision centre to
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The Irish government has scrapped its system for dealing with asylum seekers in favour of an new arrangement which will be phased in over the next four years.
The Direct Provision system was set up in 1999 to house asylum seekers while their applications were processed.
But what began as an interim measure still exists.
It has been criticised by human rights organisations and those in the system as not being fit for purpose.
In spite of the privately-run accommodation being set up for short-term stays, many people have spent long periods of time in the system.
Ireland will replace its much-criticised policy on housing asylum seekers by the end of 2024, the government has said, ending a system that keeps them in cramped former hotels and guesthouses for long periods.
Ireland introduced the system 21 years ago to temporarily accommodate a big increase in applicants. It has since been repeatedly criticised by international and national human rights organisations, including two different United Nations bodies.
A state-appointed advisory group concluded last year that a system that places applicants for unacceptably long periods in segregated, congregated accommodation with little privacy or scope for normal family life was not fit for purpose.
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Barrister who spoke at anti-mask rally issues legal proceedings against asylum seekers group
Papers were filed in the High Court yesterday. By Stephen McDermott Wednesday 24 Feb 2021, 8:56 PM Feb 24th 2021, 8:56 PM 107,884 Views 0 Comments
Una McGurk
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A BARRISTER WHO came to public attention after speaking at a demonstration against Covid-19 face masks last year has issued legal proceedings against an Irish advocacy group for asylum seekers.
Papers filed in the High Court show that Una McGurk, who is a member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT), has initiated a civil case against the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland and against three of its members, who she has named in the papers.