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Stones and metal objects thrown from a passing car in latest incident
FOUR RESIDENTS at a Dublin asylum seekers’ hostel have been injured by objects thrown from a passing car, with one of the victims being hospitalised, the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) revealed this week.
The attacks occurred outside the Balseskin reception centre near Dublin Airport, and are believed to have been racially motivated. According to witnesses the projectiles included stones and metal objects and there was also verbal abuse.
IRC Chief Executive Sue Conlon told The Voice “The first attack was on the January 9 and there were three more since. This came to our attention on February 8 after the latest attack occurred that day”.
“I had a phone call from someone who said they just don’t want to leave the centre, because they don’t know what’s going to happen to them when they get outside the gate”.
She added: “The residents don’t want to be identified because they feel it could have a (negative) impact on their applications for residency in Ireland. Some people just don’t want to make a fuss”.
CONCERNED: Sue Conlon, CEO of Irish Refugee Council
According to witnesses the car involved, a red Toyota Corolla carried three occupants during one of the incidents and five on another.
The registration number was noted by a witness, and passed on to the Gardai (Police) at Finglas Garda station by Balseskin’s management. Garda Press Office has confirmed that an investigation is under way.