Murray vows to fight on in asylum seekers debacle despite receiving personal abuse

Councillor Jack Murray has said the last week in Buncrana has seen heightened emotions due to the asylum seekers issue and has received online abuse from a "small minority."

On Monday last, local protesters stopped 66 asylum seekers on two bus loads from entering accommodation - a 19-bed facility - in the town, citing their dissatisfaction over the lack of information or the fact no advance consultation took place. The asylum seekers were then transferred to another county.

Sinn Féin Councillor Murray said it has been an exhausting week with the uncertainty over the housing of the asylum seekers has added to the tension. He added that a very small minority have manipulated this issue and called on locals to refrain from such action.

He also said he had been the victim of personal abuse, saying it "has been coordinated and it has been very difficult to take" but stressed this is from a minority who do not represent the people of Inishowen.

“I’ve bitten my tongue for quite some time on this but I'm going to have to speak out. In the last few days, emotions have been extremely heightened in our community,” Murray posted on Saturday morning. “There has been tension in the town of Buncrana like nothing I've ever experienced or expected to experience.

“Real, genuine, good people of the town are understandably worried about plans to house people they know nothing about, in what would seem to be an overcrowded and unsuitable location in the middle of the town. It has been done amidst a cloud of secrecy, without any consultation with the local community or stakeholders such as the HSE or educational services.

“As someone who is in the process of moving into a house right beside that building, I understand these concerns. As the father of a young child, I desperately want that area to be safe more than anyone. Nothing could be more important to me.

“I have spoken publicly in local media in recent days and I have been in constant contact with people in the town throughout the week. Indeed, I have seen no other issue which has exercised people like this during the 12 years that I've been an elected representative. I've never put in a week like it.

“Unfortunately, a very small minority have manipulated this issue. There has been language used that I feel is provocative and has heightened tensions, while some have appeared to be racist.

“That is reprehensible and needs to stop. It has no place in Buncrana and is not reflective of the people here. Thankfully though, it has only come from a very small number of people and should in no way be attributed to the majority of people who simply want what's best for the town.

“The majority of people who protested are genuine, salt-of-the-earth Buncrana people. There are people who are worried, concerned and scared. They deserve our support.

“This situation has arisen from bad government policy, poor communication, and planning, and a total lack of respect for the local community. Unfortunately, this has become a very profitable enterprise - rather than an issue of humanitarianism and compassion. Those human beings who are fleeing war shouldn't be treated this way. Everything about it is wrong.

“Throughout the week, I have publicly raised the concerns of local people in the media. I have also privately communicated with the government department to explain the worry in the town. I have tried to work to the best of my ability to represent concerned people and calm the situation.

“Frustratingly, I (and others) have since been targeted online. It has been coordinated and it has been very difficult to take. It has caused distress to people that I love and that is a line that I cannot allow to be crossed. Things have been posted publicly that have hurt. Private messages have been worse. In the middle of the night I received a copy and paste message that is clearly organised by someone who wants to do more damage.

“I can take it. I can see it for what it is and it won't stop me from continuing to carry out a role that I love and have always been very proud to do. I can hold my head high in our town and stand over everything I have done. My work as a public representative may be imperfect and I might (often) get things wrong, but I can, hand on heart, say that I've always acted with a sincere love for this community and with genuine intentions.

“Those who created this mess have, of course, escaped such treatment. The people who will make obscene money on the back of this will be delighted to see anger directed at local representatives who had no hand or part in what happened. While the people who made the bad decisions are so far removed that they are probably unaware of the consequences of what they have done.

“I would ask everyone with genuine concerns to continue to contact me and I will continue to raise them. We can reach a solution to this if we work together as a community. More than anything, this is a time for calm. It is a time for cool heads. It's very much a time for deep breaths.

“The one thing that everyone has in common is a love for this amazing corner of the world that we call home. That can never be forgotten. Let's all work together to make it the best it possibly can be - and always show respect for each other.”