Councillors won't quit parties over Athlone IPAS court case

The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors who successfully challenged the Government in the High Court over its decision to set up a temporary accommodation centre for 1,000 male international protection applicants in Athlone have indicated they won't be reconsidering their party memberships over the issue.

At their press conference to discuss the outcome of the case, on November 8, Aengus O'Rourke (FF), Frankie Keena (FF) and John Dolan (FG) said Government views on immigration were changing and they felt they could achieve more by remaining inside the party tent than by leaving.

"I didn't join politics to be a nodding donkey. I joined politics to represent my community and help them in any way possible," said Cllr Frankie Keena.

He said he had been disappointed with the responses of Westmeath Government representatives Minister Peter Burke, Minister of State Robert Troy and Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran in relation to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre in Lissywollen.

"I've been very vocal with regard to contacting our local Ministers here in this constituency and also with contacting our various colleagues in Government at a national level as well," said Cllr Keena.

"I have to be honest and say I was disappointed with the response coming (back) and I'll be continuing to say that to them."

He said, however, the Government's views on immigration were changing - pointing to recent remarks by Tánaiste Simon Harris as evidence.

"The penny has eventually dropped with the current Government's approach and I welcome the Tánaiste's recent comments in relation to immigration numbers in Ireland.

"I stress that I'm referring to the thousands of people who come to our shores illegally. They need to be deported," said Cllr Keena.

"Minister O'Callaghan is fast-tracking deportation - that is happening, and that's good. Accommodation provision remains a challenge for the Government but they need to be realistic and understanding of the community's needs and concerns, which has not been happening so far."

His party colleague Aengus O'Rourke said the local councillors had been forthright in highlighting the Athlone IPAS issue and had felt isolated in doing so.

"What's disappointed us - and we understand that where there's a legal process it gives an excuse to those who don't want to talk about it - is that we really have been on our own. That's what's disappointed me the most.

"While individually Government national representatives might agree - 'Oh, it's terrible, that policy will never work, and fair play to ye' - collectively those views wouldn't transfer into actions."

Cllr John Dolan said he had gone for lunch with Simon Harris when he was in Athlone for a Defence Forces ceremony on October 31.

"I had this conversation with the Tánaiste last week when he was in town. His response, which isn't anything he hasn't said publicly, was 'Yeah, we have to listen to the people'."

When asked directly if they were reconsidering their memberships of their parties, Cllr Dolan said: "I'm not, I can tell you straight out. And that's because I feel I'm finally starting to get listened to.

"I feel that, by being part of the party, I can enact more of a change of attitude than if I got thick and left the party."

Cllr O'Rourke indicated he felt similarly, adding that the fact the four councillors taking the High Court case had come from three different political parties had strengthened their case.

He felt their actions had helped influence the thinking of Simon Harris and others.

"I think our actions have served to influence Government thinking. They won't give us credit for that, of course, but that doesn't bother us.

"We're not here for kudos or credit. We're here as citizens of Athlone who happen to be members of political parties," he told those in attendance at the press conference.

Cllr Keena added: "From my end of it, I feel that you can make more progress when you're within the room than when you're outside the room."

Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan emphasised the importance of the four councillors taking the legal action collectively.

"This process couldn't have been done without a team, and I'm very much a team player. It couldn't have been done without my colleagues here.

"I certainly want to thank them for all of the support they've put behind this but also for their bravery and courage in taking on the fight," said Cllr Hogan.

At the High Court on November 7, Ms Justice Farrell formally quashed the Section 181 order used by the Government in order to establish the controversial temporary accommodation centre on a State-owned site next to an existing direct provision centre.

She put a four-month stay on her order, meaning that if the Government does not enact legislation to regularise the planning status of the site before March 7, 2026, the centre will then be in breach of planning and environmental law.

The accommodation tents and ancillary facilities at the site have been removed in recent weeks.