Ireland has long prided itself on being a nation of compassion and welcome. But right now, that reputation is being tested.

For over two years, men travelling alone and seeking international protection in Ireland have been denied accommodation upon arrival. Instead of safety, they are met with the cold reality of sleeping rough on our streets — exposed, vulnerable, and forgotten.

This policy is not just wrong. It is unlawful. Courts — including the European Court of Justice — have ruled that denying basic shelter to people seeking protection violates human rights. And yet, the practice continues.

Volunteers across Ireland, including volunteers in Phibsboro for All and the local area have stepped in, providing food, blankets, and basic care. But no one seeking refuge should have to rely on charity just to survive. No one should be forced to sleep on the streets to access protection.

The consequences are severe. Without safe accommodation, men seeking asylum have faced harassment, violence, and racial abuse. Camps have been attacked, tents slashed, and individuals filmed and threatened by far-right agitators spreading fear and hate.

Instead of offering protection, the State’s current approach leaves people at risk. It erodes our shared values of dignity, fairness, and compassion — the very values Ireland stands for.

And yet, it doesn’t have to be this way. There is capacity within the system. There are solutions. The choice is not between chaos and compassion, it is between neglect and decency.

We believe Ireland can rise above this moment and can lead with dignity.
But to do so, this harmful and degrading policy must end — now.

👉 Sign the petition today to demand that the Minister for Justice end the policy of forcing people seeking safety to sleep rough, and ensure that everyone arriving in Ireland in search of protection is met with safety, shelter, and solidarity.