A series of recent 'drive-by' attacks outside Balseskin Reception Centre in north Dublin has raised the fears of its resident asylum seekers.
Four reported attacks have taken place since the beginning of the New Year just outside the grounds of the asylum seeker accommodation centre on St Margaret’s Road in Finglas, which has been operational since 2001.
A similar pattern is repeated in each incident, whereby attackers allegedly drive by the centre’s entrance and assault their victims from their cars – at least one of them reported to be a red Toyota Corolla.
The assailants have reportedly used a variety of weapons, including stones, metal, and car parts.
And as the attacks have escalated, so have the fears of the centre’s residents.
Many say they have been too afraid to report similar incidents in the past, fearing that involvement with the gardaí would jeopardise their applications for asylum.
Irish Refugee Council (IRC) chief executive Sue Conlan said of the residents: “They 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.”
Conlan said she and the IRC “are concerned about the vulnerability of a very visible section of the community and the apparent lack of communication to residents from centre management, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) and local gardaí.”
Gardaí have confirmed they are aware of the alleged incidents, but were unable to discuss their response due to operational reasons.
