Jim O'Callaghan: warned of 'too many tents in the streets'. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times

Comments that high asylum seeker numbers pose a threat to “social cohesion” made by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan have been described as “victim blaming” by the Irish Refugee Council.

Speaking on The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast this week, Mr O’Callaghan said fears about “a breakdown in social cohesion” are prompting the Government to reduce the number of people coming to Ireland to seek asylum.

His remarks were met by criticism from the Irish Refugee Council’s chief executive, Nick Henderson, who said that such breakdown “is caused by a small but violent minority ready to commit murder and arson, an ongoin

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