Tents have sprung up along the picturesque banks of Dublin’s Grand Canal, sheltering over 50 refugees, including individuals from Palestine. Among them are new arrivals and those who have been in Ireland for months, seeking safety and assistance.
Dublin City Council is extending support by providing necessary aid, including rubbish bags, while volunteers from Phibsboro for All are lending a helping hand. The influx follows the relocation of 290 refugees from the International Protection Office in Mount Street to Croxling and City West earlier in the week, leaving some without accommodation.
Saddam, 22, who lost his father in a recent bomb attack, is among those seeking refuge at the canal. Ahmed, 25, from Nablus, Palestine, arrived in Ireland two months ago and struggled to find accommodation after the closure of the Mount Street Camp.
Abdoul, hailing from Morocco, and his wife have also erected a tent on the canal’s banks, sourcing food from Merchant’s Quay. Abdoul recounts threats faced elsewhere, prompting their move to the canal for safety.
As Dublin sees this burgeoning makeshift community, concerns for the welfare and future of these displaced individuals grow.