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Massive operation to clear Dublin’s ‘tent city’ begins this morning; 200 asylum seekers to be moved from Mount Street

Operation to clear the makeshift camp housing around 200 asylum-­seekers outside the international protection office on Mount Street got underway at 6.30amCoaches and removal equipment stationed on Mount Street as IPAS direct massive operation with gardaí present Gardaí will be asked to ensure tent camps do not return to the city

Today at 02:30

An operation to clear the makeshift camp housing around 200 asylum-­seekers outside the international protection office on Mount Street began this morning in Dublin’s city centre.

Yesterday, ​Taoiseach Simon Harris had pledged to ban asylum-seekers from creating “shanty towns” in Dublin city as they wait for their international protection applications to be heard.

Government sources said gardaí will be asked to ensure tent camps do not return to the city.

The Taoiseach held meetings with his ministerial colleagues, senior gardaí and officials from Dublin City Council in recent days over plans to clear the encampment on Mount Street.

The operation began shortly before 6.30am this morning, with Mount Street closed to all traffic and cyclists, with barriers at both ends of the street blocking all vehicular access.

Pedestrians were also being directed to an alternative route, unless they needed direct access to the street.

As part of the operation, local garda management directed additional resources to the area to oversee the move and ensure that it passes off without incident.

Gardaí and members of Dublin City Council are present at the scene, and removal equipment and several coaches are already stationed by the tents.

Officials could be seen with clipboards, taking note of people’s details as they attempt to relocate 200 people from the area today.