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The first Syrian refugees have arrived in Ireland – but there is controversy over a reception centre set up for them.

The people of Monasterevin, Co Kildare, have been left in the dark about the new facility at the old Hazel Hotel in the town.

Already, four refugees have arrived with dozens more expected in the coming weeks.

Local TD Sean O’Fearghail said people want to help but they have been ignored by the bungling Department of Justice.

He added: “The whole thing has been regrettable in the way it’s been handled."

“You shouldn’t find out by rumour that this sort of development is happening."

“The community shouldn’t be finding out on the grapevine what’s happening."

“Everything should have been open. It’s a bit bizarre that there’s an integration agency involved in this when there was very little being done about the whole process of integration."

(Image: Colin Keegan Collins Photo Agency)

“In the town of Monasterevin there are a huge number of people who want to help and be supportive."

“In circumstances where you don’t give the people who are positively inclined a lot of information, then the negativity begins.”

Yesterday when the Irish Mirror requested to speak to one of the refugees to highlight their plight, we were ordered off the premises.

And the department said it did not want the media interviewing the new arrivals.

Deputy O’Fearghail said there has been no communication at all between the various State agencies involved and the public and their elected

representatives.

He added: “During August people noticed there was work going on and they began to inquire and then they heard it was a refugee centre."

“There wasn’t any quality information available from the Department of Justice."

“I made contact. Indeed in one call to one of these agencies [Asylum and Reception Agency] someone in my office was told, ‘We’ll tell you what’s happening when we’re good and ready’. "

"Only when it was in the local and national media a statement was issued by the department indicating that it was to become a centre."

“There is widespread support for the development. Where people have been expressing concern is around the whole issue of meeting our own homeless needs.”

Deputy O’Fearghail revealed there are worries that the town’s existing medical services will not be able to cope with over 500 extra potential patients.

He added: “We do not have a full-time GP service in Monasterevin, that’s been a contentious issue among the local community.

“If you are going to have people here with particular medical needs they will need to be supported and the Department of Justice has engaged with the HSE on that.”

The Fianna Fail TD for Kildare South said the refugees would more than likely stay at the hotel for a three to four month period while their situation was being assessed.

(Image: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland)

It is understood they will then be sent to permanent accommodation at one of six locations around the country.

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Joan Burton has said Ireland will accept up to 5,000 refugees and there will not be a cut-off at that figure.

She told RTE’s News at One this country needs to push for a settlement in Syria at the UN General Assembly.

She also said the people will be coming to Ireland under the Refugee Programme rather than entering through the Direct Provision system.

Ms Burton added: “We have made positive arrangements to accept these people, who as we know are fleeing war and fleeing total breakdown and dissolution in their own country.”