The Government has moved to clarify that there is no proposal currently on the table to use a building in Ballybane to house migrants.

Rumours circulating in the area in recent weeks speculated that the Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Centre would be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees or International Protection applicants.

The building off Castlepark Road was formerly owned by SCCUL and Galway City Council. It was vacant for several years before it was sold to a private company.

Galway City Councillors have been told by management in City Hall in recent months that it was not earmarked for migrants.

In response to queries from this newspaper this week, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (CEDIY) – which is responsible for accommodating refugees who seek asylum in Ireland – said: “The Department does not currently have an offer in for this property.”
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