Seamus Treanor was speaking on The Joe Finnegan Show.
Following the news that the Department of Justice plans on using the building that was once the Abbeyfield Hotel in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon to house 80 refugees, mostly of Syrian origin, Monaghan Councillor Seamus Treanor has staunchly objected to these plans during an interview with
Northern Sound.
Speaking with host Joe Finnegan, Treanor believes that Ireland is taking in too many asylum seekers and refugees, thus leading to a further crisis in the health system.
"You could walk from one end of Monaghan town to the other end of it and you wouldn't meet an Irish person. That's the horrible truth. That's why we have the hospital crisis. I was up at the maximum emergency area at Monaghan County Hospital there lately, and it was unbelievable to see how many foreign nationals - all with medical cards - could go into any doctors surgery. Who's sitting in it? (the waiting room) All foreign nationals," he said.
While Treanor is staunchly opposed to refugees being granted shelter, other Councillors in the area have been more welcoming.
Speaking with
The Irish Times, Cllr Ivan Connaughton (FF) said he had no doubt that Ballaghaderreen would accept the refugees “with open arms”. Despite this positive approach, many of the Councillors and local TD's did note that the main issues of contention have been caused by a lack of consultation on the issue.
It's understood that the contract for the accommodation in Ballaghaderreen is for two years and that the first refugees will be arriving in February.
