Local opposition to plans to house asylum seekers in Cork and Leitrim

James Cox

There has been local opposition to plans to house asylum seekers in Cork and Leitrim.

In Fermoy, 150 people held a demonstration last night outside a B&B which has been earmarked to accommodate up to 56 asylum seekers.

While in Dromahair, a group of local residents met with the Department of Integration yesterday, which confirmed plans to house 155 asylum seekers in a hotel before Christmas.

It comes as gardaí in Galway continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fire at a hotel in Rosscahill, which was due to accommodate asylum seekers this week.

Afshin Samali, a University of Galway professor who lives in the village, said he was subjected to online abuse after he condemned the incident.

Prof Samali told Newstalk: "I got a lot of comments. People saying 'go back to where you came from, it's time for you to leave, why haven't you left already after 38 years'... So, I think they don't care what contribution people are making to the betterment of their society."