DIRECT PROVISION RESIDENTS COME TO DALYMOUNT

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The Bohemian Foundation will tonight welcome residents of three Dublin Direct Provision centres to Dalymount Park.

Between 60 and 80 residents of the centres at Finglas, Clondalkin and Leeson St will attend tonight’s SSE Airtricity League game between Bohemians and Drogheda United as guests.

The event is a joint effort between the Bohemian Foundation, Bohemian Football Club and MASI, while Extreme Adventures Ireland are providing transport to and from the game for those residents who wish to attend.

MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland) is a collective movement. Their mission is to provide a platform for asylum seekers to join together in unity and purpose. They are also calling for an end to Direct Provision.

Lucky Khambule of MASI said: “There is nothing in this world that unifies people more than sports. Football will be the winner on this day.

“As invited guests, we are looking forward to mixing with supporters and adding our voices to cheer on Bohemians. We hope everyone who comes along will enjoy their day.”

The Bohemian Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation intent on improving the health and well-being of Bohemians’ North Dublin community.

Organising the event on behalf of the Bohemian Foundation, Kevin Brannigan said: “In Ireland, sport and football in particular holds a key place in the national consciousness.

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“It brings people together at a national and local level every weekend in parks and stadiums across the island. Here at Bohs, we want to bring football fans who are currently in Direct Provision into this fold.

“We view these new fans as integral parts of the ‘new Ireland’ and we want to show them that Bohs and football in general holds the door open for them to take their place amongst us on the sidelines, in the terraces and on the pitches.”

Bohemians as a club and through our supporters have previously, working alongside the Irish Refugee Council, highlighted the conditions of those living in direct provision through fan displays, murals at Dalymount Park and by our players wearing campaigning t-shirts during their warm-ups.

Extending the club’s welcome to our newest fans, Bohemian FC president Chris Brien said: “People of many nationalities now call Ireland ‘home’ and as Dalymount Park is the traditional Home of Irish Football, we want to let them know they are always welcome to join us here  as equals and as part of our club and community.”

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