The Mosney holiday camp in Co Meath is to be used to house asylum-seekers. Up to 500 people will be accommodated there following a deal agreed between the Government and the camp's owner, Mr Phelim McCloskey.
Last night Government sources confirmed that a deal to house asylum-seekers "in chalet-type units" had been signed earlier this week between the Directorate of Asylum Support Services and Mosney Holiday Camp.
The camp would be primarily used to house family units, a spokesman said. "The camp's swimming pool, gaming arcade and public lounge will be taken out of circulation," he added.
The move has dismayed the organisers of the Community Games, which have been taking place at Mosney for more than a quarter of a century. The group has written to the Taoiseach asking him to reverse the decision.
The Community Games general secretary, Ms Maureen Quinlan, informed Mr Ahern in the letter that the closure would affect some 7,500 children who participated in national events there annually over three weekends.
A Government spokesman said that although the camp would remain closed to the public the contract included a provision that "subject to agreement between the directorate and the owners, it may open for specific events".
Ms Quinlan did not see this as a viable option for the Community Games, however, because of the numbers in the three key national events traditionally held at Mosney, at which some 2,500 people must be accommodated each time.