Developer confirms intention to develop hotel at site of former IPAS protests in Rosslare – ‘We have interest from established companies’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The developer of the site of the former Great Southern Hotel in Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford has confirmed his intentions to build a new hotel there. Previously earmarked for an International Protection Accommodation Scheme (IPAS) centre, the site was the focus of a long and protracted protest and picket which ran for 463 days between 2023 and February of this year.

That protest was in opposition to plans by Aidan Gallagher of Axis Construction to develop an IPAS centre at the old hotel instead of a nursing home and saw members of the community take up residence at the entrance to the site on a round-the-clock basis. As a result works at the site came to a standstill and, at the time of writing, parts of the proposed IPAS centre stand alongside the ruins of the old Great Southern Hotel.

Today's News in 90 Seconds, Friday, September 12

While the picket and the resulting protests in Rosslare were characterised by their peaceful and non-confrontational nature, the development was not without its controversies. In November 2023, a teleporter forklift truck worth €80,000 was burnt out during the night at the site in Rosslare, and in February of the following year the group who had been co-ordinating the protests resigned en masse following allegations of harassment and abuse from other members of the community.

Ultimately the development was placed on hold after Wexford County Council and current Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD submitted appeals to national planning authority An Bord Pleanála (now An Coimisiún Pleanála). And in February of this year it ruled that the proposed IPAS centre was not exempt from planning regulations and would therefore require full planning permission from Wexford County Council.

As a result the protest was stood down.

On September 10 a planning notice at the site was erected stating plans for works to “facilitate the continuation of the existing and established hotel use on the site and the increase of bedroom numbers from 102 to 111.”

Confirming his intention to develop a new hotel at the site, Mr Gallagher said, “We are seeking to complete the works and open a hotel. We have interest from established hotel companies which would bring further employment to the area.”