Copyright independent
Councillor David Dunne said social media was being used for a cynical disinformation campaign to cause distress within local communities. His comments came amid fears at local level that such false rumours linking properties to refugee use could trigger vandalism and arson attacks. Councillor Dunne was reacting to unfounded rumours that the old St Brigid's Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir was to be repurposed as an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre. The Sinn Féin politician is chairman of the Carrick-on-Suir municipal district for Tipperary Co Council. He warned that the furore over St Brigid's stemmed from an anonymous post on social media. Politicians and those involved in IPAS support have flatly rejected any suggestion that St Brigid's is earmarked for conversion to refugee use. Councillor Dunne warned that such anonymous posts are not only reckless but can cause great upset, anxiety and fear within local communities. "People should stop spreading false and malicious disinformation," he told TippFM. He warned it was wrong for people to post such anonymous and malicious claims via social media and then attempt to exploit the upset it caused at local level. Councillor Dunne said some actors were clearly "hiding behind anonymity". Concern has mounted over similar anonymous social media posts nationwide. In some cases, such anonymous posts have caused outrage at local level - and specific properties have subsequently been targeted for vandalism and arson as a result. Ireland has seen more than 40 attacks on properties because of supposed links to refugee accommodation since 2022 - in many cases the properties involved were never intended for IPAS use. These have ranged from old pubs, guesthouses and even hotels. There were at least 15 arson attacks on refugee centres across Ireland in 2024. Major security had to be placed on a modular housing scheme outside Clonmel which was earmarked for refugee use after a spate of attacks. In one incident, a security guard had to be treated in hospital after being attacked by a gang attempting to vandalise the site. The number of people seeking asylum in Ireland was down 40pc last April compared to the same period in 2024. In February, Ireland had around 35,000 people in the IPAS system. Around 120,000 refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been offered shelter in Ireland. However, the number of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has steadily declined as they have either opted to return home or have moved to other countries closer to Ukraine.
