Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly Tony McCormack has raised concern following a number of false stories circulating about developments in communities across the county, questioning who benefits from creating unnecessary fear and uncertainty.
His comments follow recent speculation that an IPAS centre was to be established in Belmont after four modular homes were brought onto private land in the area. The homes are simply being stored on the land and have no connection with IPAS.
Deputy McCormack has confirmed categorically that there will be no IPAS centre in Belmont.
“People in Belmont had genuine questions and they deserved answers. I sought clarity on what was happening and I can give a clear and unequivocal assurance that there will be no IPAS centre in Belmont.
Deputy McCormack said it was not the first example in recent times.
“A completely false story recently circulated that a large number of men were being moved into Clara.
“We also had claims that the long-awaited new school development at Oaklands Community College in Edenderry was not going ahead. That was also untrue.
“Now we have had the false claim about an IPAS centre in Belmont.
He said each involved information that "simply wasn't true being introduced into an issue people genuinely cared about.
“I think we are entitled to ask: who benefits from that?”
Deputy McCormack said his concern is not with people who hear such stories and understandably seek answers, but with those who create false information in the...
Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly Tony McCormack has raised concern following a number of false stories circulating about developments in communities across the county, questioning who benefits from creat...