'Ireland has welcomed me, and whatever I am doing in the community, I am giving back'

On World Refugee Day, Jonathan deBurca Butler meets three people who have made their lives here and have contributed immeasurably to Ireland

Viktoria Matvienko and Aleksandr Matsuka. Photograph: Patrick Browne

Aleksandr Matsuka

Before he first came here, Aleksandr Matsuka knew very little about Ireland. That he now lives, works and volunteers in his local community is down to a decision taken in Moscow some three years ago.