A group of five councillors in Athlone have said they are seeking a judicial review of a Government order which would see the development of a new centre for international protection applicants in the town.
The councillors, Paul Hogan, Frankie Keena, John Dolan, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and Aengus O'Rourke, also confirmed they were seeking an injunction to halt work while that review was heard.
The councillors have instructed their legal team to begin proceedings and said their review will be based on environmental grounds.
The development in Lissywollen is scheduled to accommodate 100 international protection applicants at first, with this number then rising over time to 1,000.
"We're not here branded by one party, we are here as concerned citizens of Athlone," said Fianna Fáil councillor Aengus O'Rourke.
Fine Gael councillor John Dolan said the councillors believed it was the best course of action.
"We feel we wouldn't be representing the people if we didn't take this action," he said.
The councillors have also launched a fundraising appeal in a bid to raise money to help them in their legal challenge.
"We want to immediately and permanently stop this," said Mr O'Rourke.
Since the ministerial order was made in October, councillors have been outspoken in their opposition, have described the move as "reckless and unacceptable" and said they were "left completely in the dark" about the plan.
Protests have been ongoing outside the site, where there is already a direct provision centre.
