'This isn't the Offaly we know

A new group has been established to promote the community groups and organisations working to make Offaly a more “diverse” and “welcoming” place for all of its inhabitants. The Offaly Pro-Equality Network was formed following the announcement late last month that a direct provision centre for asylum seekers was opening in the centre of Tullamore.

One of the founder members of the group Mary Cosgrove said that she and others had been concerned about the how the news about the centre on High Street has been “framed in a negative way”, as well as the establishment of a Facebook group opposing its opening.“We felt that this isn't the Offaly we know. Many of us are involved in all sorts of community groups and know that Offaly is really welcoming place to live.”

Ms Cosgrove said that the online opposition to the centre and to the recent protest, which reportedly was attended by less than 30 people most of whom were not local, gave her and others “a kick to do something”. Since the group set up its Facebook and Twitter pages last week, Ms Cosgrove says that it has received a large number of messages from people with “tangible ideas” who are looking to help.

She added that while the group was established following the announcement of the opening of the direct provision centre, it wants to connect with groups from a wide variety of sectors who are working to make Offaly a more diverse and welcoming place for all of its inhabitants, whether they were born in Ireland or elsewhere.

“According to the last census in 2016, one in eight people in Offaly were born outside the county. There is already a thriving and divierse community here and we want to highlight that...I am a blow in and Offaly is a great place to live,” she said.