Knives found in bedrooms at five Galway IPAS centres during inspections
Evidence of ‘suspected drug use’ was also detected during inspections of 19 IPAS centres in Galway carried out by officials from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Knives were found at five IPAS centres in Galway during inspections carried out earlier this year, along with evidence of suspected drug use at one of the facilities, Galway Live can reveal.
Inspections were conducted by officials from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration at 19 centres in Galway between February and July in accordance with contracts for the provision of international protection accommodation.
Knives were found in bedrooms at five of the centres, with inspectors telling service providers that “knives or weapons of any kind” were not permitted in accommodation, and that warnings should be issued to residents where they were found.
“Suspicions of drug use” were also noted in two rooms at Great Western House near Eyre Square, along with empty bottles of alcohol, with officials advising management to be “vigilant of these issues” during regular inspections.
A “knife and alcohol” were also found in rooms at Amber Lodge on College Road, while an inspector expressed safety concerns over escape routes being blocked in “several rooms” at the centre.
Management at the Ballybane Accommodation Centre were criticised for failing to provide feminine hygiene products and baby products to residents free of charge, and noted that there was a shortage of washers, dryers, toasters and microwaves.
A freezer was broken in the kitchen, and a fire exit in one of the bedrooms was blocked by a single bed. The centre had a capacity of 135 but this should be reduced to 98 based on measurements taken during the inspection, the officials said.
A number of knives were found at College Crest on College Road, and officials noted that the register of residents was not accurate during the inspection. House rules were only provided in English, and management relied on residents to translate for others.
All first aid kits at the centre were empty on the day of inspection, while officials found the front door “left wide open” on arrival, and were not required to sign in. They also noted that staff “don’t do” fire drills at the centre.
A number of rooms were overcrowded, and deep cleaning was required in several areas including the dining room and kitchen, while carpets needed to be professionally cleaned or replaced.
People were smoking in one bedroom, and a smoke detector had been deliberately covered in another. Ensuite bathrooms were “mouldy” and required treatment for dampness, the inspectors said.
An inspection of Millcourt Apartments in Gort found that residents had to purchase their own period products and nappies, while some people at the centre were sleeping on inflatable mattresses.
A number of IPAS centres in Galway were praised for the quality of accommodation and service in the inspection reports. The Connacht Apartments was described as a “well-maintained facility” with a high standard of housekeeping.
Cúirt Uisce in Doughiska, where 13 apartments are being used for international protection applicants, “appears to be very well maintained and managed”, the inspectors said.
The White House in Salthill was “extremely well run” overall, with inspectors describing it as “clean and well-presented”, while the Anno Santo on Threadneedle Road was “exceptionally well-maintained”, with officials remarking that there was a “very good relationship” between residents and staff.
The inspection reports for the second quarter of 2026 were published by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.