Woman claims Ukrainian refugee started working as an escort 

Host had been corresponding with the woman on a Facebook group on which the woman had sought accommodation for herself and her daughter.

A woman who took in what she believed to be a Ukrainian refugee and her daughter is urging people not to make accommodation arrangements privately after her new guest turned out to be an escort.

The woman spoke on TippFM radio of her experience after opening up her home in an effort to help a family fleeing war in Ukraine.

Helen, whose full name was not given, had been corresponding with a woman on a Facebook group who had sought accommodation for herself and her daughter.

The mother and daughter arrived in Ireland on March 14 and were picked up from the airport by Helen, who then took them to buy new clothes.

Within a week, Helen became uneasy about the presence of the woman in her home as she began talking within a few days of meeting different men for “dates”. 

She arranged to meet one man during St Patrick’s weekend and was planning to leave her young daughter in the house on her own.

Helen discovered from neighbours that the woman was being picked by different men while she was out at work.

She had no recourse through any agency because the accommodation arrangement had been made privately.

However, she was able to get the woman and the child into emergency accommodation.

She told TippFM: “I had opened my home. It is a beautiful home. It got thrown back in my face.

“If I had not had the resources that I personally had, I would not have been able to get this woman out of my house and that is my fear for other families who are opening their homes. They may find themselves in my position and may not be able to move them on.” 

She urged people to go through the Irish Red Cross rather than making private arrangements.

“Make sure you are protected. There are a lot more complexities than just bringing someone into your home and opening your heart to them. There will be issues. It is bringing two different families together.”