Paul Delaney of Cornmarket Project In Wexford Calls for Compassion and Understanding Amid Rising Tensions Over Asylum Seekers

In the wake of increasing tensions surrounding the arrival of asylum seekers in local communities and the fire that was started maliciously in Drogheda over the weekend at the IPAS centre, Paul Delaney, a key figure behind the Cornmarket Project in Wexford, has spoken out about the root causes of fear and division stressing the importance of compassion and understanding when addressing issues surrounding immigration. Mr Delaney who works closely with marginalized groups including people in addiction recovery and those facing homelessness believes that societal stigma and prejudice often drive harmful narratives that further alienate vulnerable individuals, which includes asylum seekers. Speaking on Morning Mix he pointed out that in many cases, people from marginalized backgrounds, including refugees, addiction survivors and former prisoners face societal rejection rather than support for their efforts to rebuild their lives. Delaney emphasized that when communities stop seeing people as fully human—whether they are refugees, individuals recovering from addiction, or those experiencing homelessness—it becomes easier to justify cruelty and discrimination. He urged the public to reflect on how language and media portray these groups, particularly when discussing immigration. While acknowledging the genuine concerns many people have about immigration, he stressed that communities are stronger when they respond with understanding and compassion, rather than suspicion. He believes that stigma and prejudice, rather than helping to solve social issues, end up damaging individuals and weakening entire communities. For example, people struggling with addiction or mental health challenges often find themselves unable to seek help due to the stigma they face, which only perpetuates their difficulties. He is calling on the public and those in positions of influence, including politicians, media figures and community leaders to be mindful of their language, emphasizing that “words matter.”