Shouts of joy at U-turn on Killarney Ukrainian plan

Some 135 refugees had been given just 48 hours' notice that they would be moved to Mayo from their Kerry home

Local Killarney people turn out to support Ukrainian refugees prior to the announcement on Wednesday morning that they would be allowed to stay in Killarney. Picture: Don MacMonagle

Shouts of joy erupted as more than 200 local people protesting outside a Kerry hotel on Wednesday learned of a sudden Government U-turn on a plan to move 135 Ukrainian refugees from what has become their home in Killarney to Mayo.

The refugees, mostly women and children, had put down roots in the Killarney community. After the trauma of witnessing war, the children had happily integrated in local schools and many adults had found work. Some said they would choose to live in a car rather than leave Killarney.