Opinion

Dismay over Rooskey decision

There will be deep concern that the Irish department of justice has dropped plans to to provide an accommodation centre for asylum seekers at a disused hotel in Rooskey, Co Leitrim, which was damaged during two arson attacks in the last three months.

While officials yesterday cited difficulties over the leasing arrangements, fears have already been expressed that the blatant acts of intimidation in the village have achieved their objective.

A similar facility proposed for Moville in Co Donegal remains surrounded by uncertainty after it was targeted in almost identical circumstances during November.

The vast majority of Irish citizens who want to extent the hand of friendship to the small number of refugees due to arrive from war-torn countries can only be disturbed by the latest developments.