On March 29th, 2006, residents (inmates) of Kinsale Road refugee hostel in Cork, took to the streets to demand that they be treated with dignity and respect. A phone interview with Madu Innocent Chuckwunyere (eye-witness), broadcast live on Near FM's Majority World on thurs April 6th. On march 29th, 2006, residents (inmates) of Kinsale refugee hostel too to demand that they be treated with dignity and respect. Listen here (mp3 12min 128kbps) Below is a transcript of the phone interview with Madu, an eye-witness and himself a resident.

RS: …and on the line here today we’re speaking with Madu Chukwunyere, also known as Madu Innocent Chukwunyere; and Madu is speaking to us from a refugee hostelin Kinsale, Co. Cork. I suppose, Madu, we’ll begin with March 30th, that’s last Thursday: what actually happened?

Madu: Well, it was actually on the 29th, that was a Wednesday, and residents, eh, (well I call it a kind of riot), rebelled against what for a long time they’ve been calling harassement and intimidation here.

RS: Can you tell us more about the harassement and intimidation?

Madu: By Wednesday the 29th thre’s been a lot of times that residents have met together; and looked at the way they are kept here; the way the management behaves towards them; the kind of food they eat; and the policies which the management carries out at will; and by the 29th…there was a lot of frustration and people decided to do something so that there can be a change.

From the newswire: The following represents a report on a public meeting held in Dublin 13th/14th January.

The first public workshop of the People before Profit Alliance / Davitt League Alliance was held in Cassidy’s Hotel (on the evening of Friday 13th January) and the Teachers Club (Saturday 14th). Chairing the Friday night session, Dr Michael Punch of TCD announced the aim of the group — which is to provide support through collaboration for individual grassroots movements and to increase political space for the views of community activists.

• Related links compiled by IMC Ireland:
• Socialist Worker article on PBP
• Socialist Democracy "So Good they did it Twice!"
• Indymedia.ie report on St. Michaels
• Indymedia.ie report on launch of Tenants First
• Indymedia.ie report on "The Sale of the Century"
• Indymedia.ie "Another Left Alliance Call"

From the newswire:

Street Seen* sure know how to show a crowd a good time. In the space of three hours we had; a rally with music; two occupations; and a magical mystery protest march. All to highlight the growing number of people dying on our streets for the want of a home. Joan Collins, John Boorman and some of Kila turned up to show support. A small, but perfectly formed, crowd were entertained by singers, musicians and the Happy City Samba Band. The well worn Kila bodhran made an appearance too.

The first occupation was in the old Colaiste Mhuire building on Parnell Square, where banners were hung from the windows. The first guards to arrive were the undercover / unmarked car variety. Uniforms arrived later but meanwhile the two from the first car walked through the crowd asking 'who's in charge?' While they practiced their interrorgation skills, those who were in the building made good their escape. Reinforced - the large group of guards made their way into the building but neglected to leave a man on the door. The door, closed firmly in the faces of the protestors, proved too much of a temptation for some. The cry went up ' anyone got a padlock?'. Surprisingly, someone had and it was employed on the door. The guards were now locked in. More reinforcements arrived and a bolt cutters the size of my leg was used to free them from the prison of their own making.

*Editorial note:The occupations were not organised by Street Seen, neither was the magical mystery tour. They were organised by concerned people and members of the homeless community and not directly by Street Seen. This article was submitted by regular contributer Elaine and is her personal reflection on the day's events.

Previous Indymedia.ie Coverage
"Bertie, Where's Our Houses?"
Housing protest meeting discuss use of "containers" to house the homeless
Homeless Propose Motion At Dublin City Council
Interview: Tommy

* Audio Report From GNIB Burgh Quay *

Ireland has been pursuing a policy of expedited deportations of immigrant families for the last couple of years. Amid a rising tide of racism fueled by the rhetoric of prominent politicians (who refer to Turkish workers as "kebabs") there are deep concerns that the human rights of vulnerable asylum seekers are being ignored.

Among the families reported to have been snatched for deportation this morning is one which includes a child with an autistic spectrum disorder. An appeal by Denis O Donovan TD from Bantry has secured the assurance of McDowell that this family will not be deported until McDowell has personally reviewed their file. However approximately 35 other asylum seekers with unknown personal situations seized in this sweep have received no such assurances of due diligence. Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism commenting on the current broken system said:

The asylum system continues to be in disarray. McDowell will deport women and young girls who have fled here fleeing Female Genital Mutilation. His response has been to send them back to a country where the World Health Organisation estimates that over 50% of the female population has had the operation performed on them. We need an asylum system that is effective and fair. We need the asylum system taken out of McDowell’s hands completely and handed over to a body such as the Human Rights Commission that will view the asylum system from a human rights angle and not as a system that deports as many people as possible in order to facilitate electoral gain.

All these families have been signing on at Garda stations as required by law. It would appear that the Gardai, through the direction of the Minister for Justice (Michael McDowell) are creating the conditions that will encourage the creation of a completely underground illegal immigrant population. This is an arbitrary, arrogant and ineffective set of policies which reflect a lack of thought about the realities of immigration in the 21st century.

Irish activists are currently undertaking an attempted blockade of GNIB at Burgh Quay to prevent the mass deportation scheduled for approximately 11:30pm tonight. Two people have been reported arrested on our newswire already. If you can get down to the blockade then your presence will be welcomed.

"That this City Council calls on the Government to refrain from selling the former UCD veterinary College, Dublin 4 and instead allocate it to Dublin City Council with a view to alleviating the housing crisis in the city"

Background Links:
Minister Rattled By Homeless Sleepout
"Bertie, Where's Our Houses?"
Antoinette's Tent
No More Deaths On Our Streets
Heeeereees Terry!