An attempt to prevent an Irish parish priest accompany Justice and Equality Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin on a visit to a direct provision centre for asylum seekers was reversed this week following widespread publicity.
Mgr John Byrne of Portlaoise in County Laois was told by the owner of the former Montague Hotel in Emo, which provides accommodation for 160 asylum-seekers, that he would be refused entry because of his criticisms of the centre in the past.
However, the Department of Justice contacted the priest on Monday to say he would in fact be allowed access.
Speaking after his visit, Mgr Byrne said it confirmed in his mind that the system needs to be changed.
Recalling his comparison of a direct provision centre to an open prison, the parish priest said the system was unsuitable for the children and prevented them participating in sports and other activities outside of school hours.
“There are families spending seven or eight years waiting for their status. People are isolated and they’re caught in a limbo. It is inhumane,” he said.
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