Tomás Ó Flatharta

The photographer Chris Reid tells us everything we know about “tent city” in Dublin :

Some views of the ‘Tent City’ that was removed from Mount Street only to regenerate phoenixlike along the banks of the Grand Canal. Both Mount Street and Grand Canal are now fenced off to prevent a return of the tents. I’m wondering where in Dublin ‘Tent City’ will reappear and what other parts of Dublin will consequently become fenced off. The photos were taken on Sunday last, May 5 2024.

Chris Reid highlights tent city in Dublin

The comments on Chris Reid’s facebook page say it all :

Tents were set up at the East Link and Ringsend last night but removed after locals intervened Chris. The problem will just move around.

I didn’t hear about the East Link/Ringsend. I agree, it will move about.

Phoenix Park would be spacious enough! I hope our government will be kind to them

Sure if they’re house-less, they still have to live *somewhere*. Where are they expecting those kicked out to go?

“Patrick Somers, 84, wondered what would happen to people he used to consider neighbours. ‘I feel sorry for them. Wherever they’ve come from, they have to live somewhere’. Somers recalled the taunts he experienced as a labourer in London in the 1960s. ‘They’d say: ‘Go home, Paddy, go home.’ I remember that when I see these poor people’.”

Police dismantle tent city in Dublin – racism in action

in the 60’s pubs in UK had signs displayed saying ‘ no blacks, Irish or dogs allowed’ petered out in the 70’s but the feeling was there.

No country is dealing with the immigrant problem. No one has any policies, hate to think where it will end up for everyone

It’s very sad and not humanitarian. Sweeping one place up and transferring to another, as if they are not humans. They spoiled the Ukrainians and deal with those in a very inhumane way.

I like the old man who make more sense.

They have to sleep somewhere while they are here. Exactly. They cannot make themselves invisible during the night, only because it doesn’t fit an image. I think they should set up in front of the Dail. Or on the front lawns of the politicians and property tycoons. I am sure they have nice big and spacey ones

Phoenix park. Not annoying anyone out there. Bylaws will prevent it. Government has made a complete balls of this.

All those billions in budget surplus yet they can’t build social housing ?

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This crisis was caused by racist terrorists, who burned several buildings prepared to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees (in some cases buildings which were not going to be used to house migrants were reduced to ashes).

The state ceased to house people, and the voluntary agency Tiglin tried to fill the gap, by supplying tents.

More about Tiglin :

Tiglin is a registered charity in the Republic of Ireland that helps people overcome addiction, homelessness and other life-controlling issues. We have assisted hundreds of people and their families in improving their lives. This is because we believe and invest in each person’s potential. We work with anyone in need of help. Therefore we get results that benefit the whole of society.
Tiglin provides a variety of social care services, such as street outreach, crisis homeless services, residential rehabilitation programmes, aftercare supports, supported housing, educational opportunities, employment upskilling, and family support for men and women affected by drug and alcohol misuse and frontline services for those seeking international protection. 
Our therapeutic programmes take an evidence-based approach to supporting people with life-controlling issues. We also want to equip those in our care with personal and professional skills to help them in the life beyond our care. This means providing life skills and training opportunities ranging from courses in further education courses, qualifying employment certificates, counselling, parenting skills, and family therapy and barista training in our social enterprise café café.

Tiglin Mission and Values

In some cases the state asked Tiglin to take on this job. Then the state sent in diggers and other vehicles which threw the new tents into skips. Migrants moved on to different parts of the city – and arsonist racists threatened them. The state effectively gave the thugs a green light.

This madness must cease.

John Meehan May 10 2024