Cllr Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin Leader on Dublin City Council and European election candidate for Dublin, has called for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis at Mount Street and criticised the government’s shambolic approach to recent events there.

He said:

“The scenes yesterday at Mount Street and Crooksling show that this Government is chaotic, heartless and directionless. 

“In a cynical move this government attempted to move homeless asylum seekers out of the public eye in Mount Street. The move to Crooksling was a heartless act, not a humane response.

“This Government continues to utterly fail when it comes to housing. They are incapable or unwilling to provide adequate accommodation to the most vulnerable in Irish society. There are 1,200 asylum seekers sleeping on the streets here in Dublin. In addition to this there are a further 13,000 people homeless across the state. This government should hang their heads in shame. The responsibility for this crisis lies with them. No one should be homeless in today’s Ireland.

“We need a fair, efficient and enforced immigration system. The current shambolic approach by government is very obviously not working. It has lead to an unacceptable situation in Mount Street. 

“Many of those people seeking asylum are traumatised and dealing with complex needs. Yet they are denied basic hygiene facilities. No running water, toilets or washing facilities. 

“The various responsible agencies of government who have a role in providing a solution to this situation need to come together immediately to resolve the humanitarian crisis. Urgent action is needed now.

For further comment call Cllr. Daithí Doolan 086 3888152