The Government has officially scotched social media rumours – stirring up speculation that two vacant accommodation facilities west of the Corrib were about to be used as asylum centres.

Posts on social media, including Twitter, suggested Moycullen was being lined-up to host an emergency accommodation centre for International Protection applicants – with Moycullen House and Cloonabinna House earmarked for refugees and asylum seekers.

The anonymous posts claimed the properties had been acquired by a consortium that had operated Direct Provision and migrant centres elsewhere in Ireland.

But a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (CEDIY) confirmed to The Connacht Tribune that it has not considered either property in Moycullen for use to house people seeking protection.

A Department spokesperson also confirmed that as of Sunday, May 21, there were 675 International Protection Applicants accommodated in County Galway, which according to the latest Census, has a population over 276,000.

The IP Galway figure does not include 302 male asylum seekers who are due soon to move into converted offices in Ballybrit or those earmarked for a B&B on College Road and apartments in Doughiska.

It also does not include those fleeing war in Ukraine.

In relation to Moycullen House, a Department of CEDIY spokesperson said: “The Department has not considered this property for use. A detailed assessment must take place before any property can be deemed suitable as accommodation for international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection.”

In relation to Cloonabinna House, which was used as a hostel for asylum seekers in 2005, a CEDIY spokesperson said: “The Department has not considered this property for use. A detailed assessment must take place before any property can be deemed suitable as accommodation for international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection.”

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