Updated 1.38pm
A PRIEST WHO described direct provision centres as “open prisons” says that he has been told to stay away from one in his local area.
Monsignor John Byrne, the parish priest in Portlaoise, said he was told he wasn’t welcome at a local hotel which is being used as a centre for asylum seekers.
Father Byrne told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that he was “surprised” that he had been told not to attend a planned visit by Equality Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordán today because he has criticised the system.
“I have directed my criticism at the system itself because, as the President says, it is entirely unsatisfactory. It is having dire consequences for the children.”
He said that he had no issue with the conditions at the centre in Laois, which is in the old Montague Hotel, but rather the system.
“I did ask that it could be done more efficiently and that the money be followed more closely.”
When asked if he would attend the visit by Ó Ríordán today, Fr Byrne said that residents had asked him to attend.
“Residents rang me yesterday and said that they felt that I would be withdrawing my support if I didn’t [attend the visit].
So that probably influences me that I intend to accompany the minister, but I don’t want this to be about me. I want it to be about the system of direct provision.
However, sources within the Department of Justice say that Minister Frances Fitzgerald was insistent the visit go ahead as planned, Monsignor Byrne included.
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