The Department of Justice today confirmed that it would now not go ahead with plans to open an accommodation centre for asylum seekers at the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey. The department issued a statement to the Roscommon People this morning citing “difficulties with the lease agreement” as the reason for its change of heart.
The statement read: ‘The Department of Justice and Equality regrets that it is not in a position to proceed with plans to open an accommodation centre in the Shannon Key West Hotel, Rooskey.
‘The decision was taken following legal advice sought from the Chief State Solicitors Office which found difficulties with the lease agreement between the owners of the hotel, and the operator renting it, which made proceeding with the proposed centre unviable.
The Department is not party to these lease arrangements and these matters are outside our control.
‘We remain committed to sourcing suitable premises to meet the accommodation needs of people in the international protection process. A regional procurement process is underway and will continue throughout the year.
‘The decision not to proceed was taken solely in relation to the difficulties with the lease.’
