Oldcastle hotel can be used for IPAS accommodation after property is deemed to be exempted development
- Decision granted after further information requested by council
- Public reps furious over lack of communication and consultation
- Minister stated in March that hotel was "no longer under consideration" for IPAS accommodation
An Oldcastle hotel has been declared 'exempted development' by Meath County Council meaning it can be considered for use as accommodation for International Protection applicants.
The decision was made on Thursday (12th June) following a request for further informaton by planners to the original application made earlier this year by Transboil Ltd, c/o Joe Beggan with an address on the Dublin Road, Monaghan.
Meath County Council had received an original application for a declaration of exempted development for the 12-bed Oldcastle House Hotel at Cogan St in the town, on 3rd March 2025 with the request for further information to be submitted by 27th May.
That further information satisfied council planners the criteria was met for the hotel to be declared exempted development.
The applicant was asked to submit correspondence with IPAS to provide evidence that the hotel will be used as temporary accommodation by 'displaced persons' or persons seeking international protection and to clarify the number of intended residents.
In its reponse the applicant said: "The requested evidence from IPAS confirming the consideration of this property as a potential emergency provision centre is not available at this time.
"As a contractor, we can only submit a proposal to the Department of Justice for consideration when all necessary documentation and compliance and certifications are in place. This includes fire safety certificates, insurance documentation and Section Five application, which is currently in progress.
"The suitability of this property for use as an emergency provision centre will ultimately be determined by the IPAS inspection team. This involves a review of the submitted proposal, along with a mandatory site visit to assess its suitability.
"Proposals for the provision of emergency accommodation are subject to assessment and determination by the Department of Justice the decision on the suitability and use of any centre is beyond our discretion."
In relation to the request for clarification on whether the property shall be used to provide accommodation for non Ukrainaian migrants (Class 20F), or for persons of non Ukrainian nationality, under (Class 14h, see panel), the applicant said it was "IPAS that determines how a potential emergency provision centre will be occupied", but "for the purpose of this application, we request that the proposal used for the guest house be considered under Class 14h."
What is Class 14h under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 From use as a hotel, motel, hostel, guest house, holiday accommodation, convent, monastery, defense forces, barracks or other premises or residential institution providing overnight accommodation or part thereof, or from the change of use of specified in paragraph (i) of the said premises or institution, or part thereof, to use as accommodation for protected persons.
The applicant also satisfied the council planners to meet the Section 5 exempted development criteria by stating no alterations or additional works are required at the premises.
"The property in its current use as a hotel already meets all statutory requirements and is fully equipped for immediate occupancy."
The applicant goes on to state that the building has all valid fire safety certificates, utilities and kitchen facilities in place.
Planners concluded the the application made on 3rd March with further information subnmitted on 27th May complies with the exempted development legislation and granted the cert changing the use of the structure.
The recommendation was approved by senior planner Peadar McQuaid on 12th June.
The hotel had been housing a number of Ukrainians but there had been hopes that the premises would eventually be reopened as a hotel.
The decision has caused widespread shock in the town especially considering IPAS had indicated it was no longer considering housing asylum seekers in the Oldcastle hotel, according to correspondence received by Deputy Johnny Guirke from then Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Minister Foley indicated back in March that IPAS had received an offer of accommodation at the Oldcastle House Hotel, but the "premises is no longer under consideration."
In April the functions of Integration and Youth transferred to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration under the direction of Minister Jim O'Callaghan.
The latest news had been met with widespread concern in Oldcastle with local TD, Johnny Guirke "furious" with the lack of information and communication with public representatives.
"I was shocked when I first heard about Section 5 being granted in Oldcastle. The very first I learned of it was when a local resident contacted me via text on Saturday. Neither the government nor Meath County Council had notified me that the only hotel in Oldcastle has been considered exempt from planning regulations from a Hotel to an IPAS centre.
"This complete lack of transparency and communication is unacceptable. I have raised my concerns in the Dáil about Section 5s and the impact they can have on local communities. Yet, communities like Trim and Oldcastle are being left in the dark, with decisions made behind closed doors without consultation with the public and elected representatives.
"In the Programme for Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael explicitly promised that they would not use the only hotel in a town as an IPAS centre. This was a clear commitment to protect local tourism and businesses. The hotel in Oldcastle is the only one in the town that was always vital to attracting visitors and supporting local investment — including up to 10 major businesses that rely on the hotel to accommodate investors.
"Despite my numerous correspondence to the Minister of Justice and the Community Integration Team raising serious concerns about the negative impact on Oldcastle, I have yet to receive any official notification or confirmation of a contract or decision since my last correspondence from them whichi previously shared. I have followed up multiple times, but the silence speaks volumes.
Tanaiste Simon Harris has publicly stated that the government would not use the only hotel in a town for this purpose. Now, it’s time for the government to stand by their word and honour their commitments as per their own programme for government.
The people of Oldcastle deserve honesty, transparency, and respect — not the backroom deals and neglect that have brought us to this point.
"We need to know now if the hotel has been sold and if the government has done a deal."
Currently, the general public cannot appeal a Section 5 declaration of exempted development in Ireland. Only the applicant who requested the declaration from the planning authority can appeal a Section 5 decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Deputy Guirke said he has been trying to make contact with the Minister for Justice and the council planners "to get answers first thing tomorrow morning and next week."
A protest at the Oldcastle House Hotel is arranged for 7pm tomorrow (Monday 16th June.)
- This is a developing story and questions have been submitted to the relevant Govt and Council departments.