Refugees targeted by gang

TERRIFIED
refugees are afraid to leave their temporary accommodation in Finglas because
of a spate of racially motivated attacks, which has left one of them
hospitalised.

Vulnerable
immigrants staying in the Balseskin Reception Centre on St Margaret’s Road have
been targeted four times in the last six weeks.

In
each terrifying incident, it is believed the same gang of young men have hurled
missiles, including metal and blocks, from a speeding car at immigrants walking
from a nearby bus stop to the centre.

The
hunt is on to find the despicable culprits who have tormented the refugees to
the extent that they afraid to leave the building.

The
Balseskin hostel houses newly arrived asylum seekers while their applications
are being processed and long-term accommodation centres are identified.

It
has operated as an asylum reception centre since December, 2001.

According
to a spokesperson for the Irish Refugee Council (IRC), the attacks have been
very upsetting to the immigrants who are afraid to leave the centre as a
result.

“It’s
very sad and quite shocking that these vulnerable refugees are being targeted
and attacked in this way,

? the spokesperson told Northside People.

“They
are scared but are reluctant to talk because there is a sense of fear that
their applications might be affected if they speak out or complain in any way.

“It
seems to be the same car and the same people who have been involved in each
incident so far.

?

The
brutal attacks began in January and the most recent incidents occurred in the
daylight hours of Friday, February 8. The following day one person was
hospitalised and another refugee was hit on the back of his head by a missile
believed to be a block or a piece of metal.

The
residents said a car with a number of young men inside approached them, the IRC
spokesperson explained.

The
windows were rolled down and the occupants threw stuff out the window at them
or tried in some way to attack them as they were walking along the road.

Community
gardaí in Finglas last week held a clinic in the Balseskin Reception Centre to
speak with residents. And flyers seeking information about the attacks have
been displayed on the Balseskin bus stop and around the centre.

A
spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed that it was aware of
attacks on the residents of Balseskin Reception Centre.

“There
have in recent weeks been a number of instances reported to the gardaí where
youths in passing cars shouted verbal abuse and, on a number of occasions, it
was reported that items were thrown from a vehicle involved,

? the spokesperson
told Northside People.

“In
one such incident, an individual attended Accident and Emergency and, after
treatment, was discharged immediately.

“Centre
staff contacted local gardaí immediately and an investigation is being carried
out, including examination of centre CCTV records, which cover the area
immediately outside the centre.

“Centre
staff have kept residents fully informed of what is happening and the local
Garda Ethic Liaison Officer has been updated daily.

“There
is no evidence to sustain the statement that residents are afraid to leave the
grounds of the centre.

“It
should be noted that a bus to and from Dublin City centre, seven times a day,
seven days a week, is provided for residents.

?

The
spokesperson added:

“Further, there is no basis in the assertion that the
direct provision system is either a cause of, or a perceived justification for,
such incidents which, plainly, are to be condemned.

?