There was standing room only for many of the concerned residents gathered in the Julianstown Inn, Co Meath, to express their concerns about the housing of asylum-seekers in Mosney Holiday Camp. In a parish of 600 people, more than 150 gathered to share information and form a committee.
Alderman Frank Godfrey, Mayor of Drogheda, said he was concerned "about the health and safety aspects of this camp or detention centre for refugees. The loss of the holiday resort is also a big blow."
He said the area was willing to take its share of asylum-seekers but he was concerned that villages would become ghettos as he believed the Government's commitment to house 500 people would be increased to 2,000 by the year 2004.
Local resident Mr Dessie Russell said proportionately the parish should be having 15 refugees. "I don't think that we would have any problem accommodating that number. The Government sees this as a way out and is throwing millions at plastering over the cracks."
Cllr Tom Kelly said 500 people only would be accommodated at any one time during the contract of four years and nine months. That was the equivalent of 100 families.
Mr Peter O'Mahoney, of the Irish Refugee Council, said the council was opposed to the housing of such a large number of refugees in Mosney where they would have no work permits and little to do. He also said the local community should have been informed in advance of the events.
"The first we heard of it was on RTE news. There is no indication that a health and education infrastructure is being put in place . . . Having such a large number of people in a small area with nothing to do is unreasonable."