Pillo Hotel denies IPAS rumours as new owners take over

The new owners of the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne have scotched rumours that the hotel will be used to house International Protection Applicants, warning that such rumours are harmful to business and unsettling to staff.

The McDermott Group, who also own the Ashbourne Court Hotel and the Carnegie Court Hotel in Swords, has recently taken over the 156 room four star hotel.

The Group has issued a statement confirming the hotel is not housing international protection applicants and has no plans to do so now or in the future.

The statement comes following widespread speculation locally that the hotel would be used as an IPAS centre.

In the statement Richard McDermott said the recent speculation was false and misleading. "Rumours have been and can be very harmful to the business and disruptive and unsettling to the 150 plus staff.

"There are mighty and exciting plans ahead to invest in the property. We have already engaged the relevant specialists to assist us refurbish all of our bedrooms, expand out leisure club gym space and enhance our bar and restaurant. As new owners of the Pillo Hotel, we would like to ensure both the local and national communities of our intent to deliver and improve the present and successful offering of the Pillo Hotel."

Meanwhile Meath County Council has confirmed that it had not received any correspondence from the Department if Justice in relation to the Pillo Hotel being used as an IPAS centre, following a query from Sinn Féin Cllr Helen Meyer.