Thornton Hall accommodation ready in 'four to six weeks'

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said it is expected that Thornton Hall will be ready to accommodate asylum seekers in four to six weeks time.

Yesterday, it was confirmed by the Department of Integration that tented accommodation for asylum seekers will be provided at the north Dublin site.

The tents would be pitched in a part of the site that is already "serviced". This includes toilets, sanitation facilities, along with kitchens and eating areas.

The department said that it was working with the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Justice to use a portion of the 160-acre site for this emergency accommodation.

It comes after more than 90 tents were pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin yesterday morning, between Baggot Street Bridge and Wilton Place.

The encampment was mostly asylum seekers who have been given tents by agencies due to an absence of State accommodation.