Craig Bishop, a retired GP and volunteer with Newtown Together, noted that the existence of a 10ft fence around the asylum seekers' camp creates a stark dichotomy: 'They come all this way for protection only to be behind a 10ft fence to be protected from who? From the locals.' His remarks highlight how the physical barriers emphasize separation and tension between the community and the asylum seekers, which undermines the spirit of inclusion and support that the camp aims to foster.
The backlash against the asylum seekers center in Newtown Mount Kennedy was palpable, with protests erupting even before its establishment. When word spread in March that the site would accommodate some of the 16,000 international protection applicants arriving in Ireland this year, tensions escalated, resulting in 24-hour protests outside the property. The situation turned particularly volatile with violent clashes and accusations against the police, indicating deep fissures in local society regarding immigration.
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