'Ukraine refugees at just as much risk of exploitation in Ireland as in Poland' 

Refugees wait in a line after fleeing the war from neighbouring Ukraine at the border crossing in Medyka, southeastern Poland on Saturday, April 2.

The head of the Irish Immigrant Council says that refugees fleeing Ukraine are just as likely to be exploited after arriving in Ireland as they are by traffickers at the Polish border.

Brian Killoran, the council’s chief executive, said: “The situation as it stands with the chaotic movement and the desperation of those involved make it rife for exploitation and that exploitation can happen at the starting point in Ukraine and Poland and it can happen at the end point in Ireland as well. Unfortunately, the motives and the approaches and the exploitation is of a very similar nature at both ends.”