Community workers aim to ease Cootehill tensions

A leading advocate for the migrant community says he understands the concerns behind the protests in Cootehill against a proposal to house refugees there.

Chairperson of the Cavan Cross Cultural Community Stanley Nwaneri was speaking in light of a debate at a Cavan County Council meeting on the future use of the former White Horse Hotel.

The council chamber had given broad support to a letter, which outlined concerns by some of the community about the proposed use of the former landmark building. The Market Street premises has been the site of weekly protests since February, attracting scores of concerned residents.

While the property is being assessed its suitability to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Provision (BOTPs) - ie those fleeing the war in Ukraine - the protestors are worried it could be used for people who they describe as “undocumented and unvetted males”.

Stanley said he “understands” the concern of the Cootehill community and sympathised with them.

“We would like to work with the Cootehill community to ensure we mitigate the concerns raised,” he said.

“Together we can work towards finding solutions that address our concerns, while upholding the principles of fairness, respect, and inclusivity.

“Let us engage in meaningful conversation and collaborate to ensure the long-term well-being of our community.”

Stanley referenced Cavan’s uniqueness with its “multicultural diverse communities”.

“So much work has been put in place to integrate new communities with the indigenous community,” he said, mentioning specifically Cavan, Mullahoran and Virginia.

“We want to offer the Cootehill community our services,” he said.

He is eager to provide “a first-hand opportunity” for communities to speak with people who have benefitted from International Protection Accommodation (IPA) and who are “in the process of integration into our broader society”.

“We have worked with other towns with IPA candidates, and this has been successful in terms of integration, and the inter-relationship between the IPAs and their new community.

“I am extending our services to Cootehill’s concerned community,” Stanley said on behalf of the Cavan Cross Cultural Community.

He observed that the Cootehill experience is shared elsewhere in the state.

“Other towns are going through the same and are actively engaged with us through open discussion and integration programme.”

CEO of Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) Terry Hyland said that his organisation and Cavan County Council will provide help in ensuring new members of the community can integrate without friction.

“I just think it’s people’s fears,” he said in response to the letter raised at a recent council meeting, adding that communication is the only way to lessen these fears.

“We do that,” he said, mentioning that they are currently working in Kilnaleck, Cavan town, Belturbet and Cootehill with IP families and Ukrainian families.

CCLD offer a ‘Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP)’ which has a “strong integration focus” working with refugees, BOTPS, and IPs.

Regarding the White Horse Hotel, Terry gave example of the The Skellig Accommodation Centre in County Kerry which was being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. The centre reportedly applied to accommodate international protection (IP) applicants and won the State tender.

“There’s nothing to say that the Department wouldn’t do that in Cootehill down the road,” he surmised, though stressed that “at the minute if they’re saying it’s for BOTPs then that’s Ukrainians.

“If that’s the contract they have with the landlord, then that’s the contract they have with the landlord,” he said.

Terry added that this prospect would generate “a fear that it’s just a bunch of men from different countries coming in.

“It’s a fear, it mightn’t be a logical fear, but it is a fear that people have,” he said.

He adds that a person seeking International Protection “is nearly seen as one nationality” though they may come from many different regions.

“What are we saying? If you come from those countries you’re dangerous but if you come from France or Spain, you’re fine?”

“These are vulnerable people in a lot of cases and they’re afraid coming in as well,” he says of the IPAs.

CCLD provide a “boots on the ground” response once people arrive into a community.

“We don’t pick sides, we work with both sides and we try to break down any sort of barriers or concerns people have.”

In response to a previous query on the use of the Cootehill hotel, the Department of Integration stated: “The property is not under consideration by International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS).”

“Negotiations are still ongoing regarding the application received for the White Horse Hotel in Cootehill for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs, i.e. those fleeing the war in Ukraine).”