The state's national planning body has officially rejected plans for a controversial IPAS centre in Roscommon town.
The proposal had already been rejected by the Department of Migration.
Academy House in Goff Street was formerly an office building and has housed Ukrainian refugees since early 2023, according to planning documents.
There are proposals to turn it into an IPAS centre, with up to 17 asylum-seekers housed in around eight bedrooms.
In February of last year, Noel Whelan asked Roscommon County Council if this would be exempted development, under planning laws.
The following month, the council said it would not and would, in fact, be development.
In April of last year, Noel Whelan appealed this to An Coimisiun Pleanála, who have now backed the council's decision and dismissed the appeal.
During the process, a representation was made by local Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice.
He said Roscommon has its fair share of international-protection applicants, and there's a long list of local homelessness.
He also said an IPAS centre would be detrimental to the town, and there would be a risk of antisocial behaviour.
An Coimisiun Pleanála's decision is a further blow to the plans, but the offer of accommodation was already rejected by the Department of Migration last July.
