'If you live here, you belong here': Hundreds gather in Fermoy for rally in support of refugees

Ukraine native Marina Chevelova described Fermoy as a great town with a big heart and kind people. She described Wednesday’s protest as very stressful

Maggie Blackley, Pat Buckley TD, Kate O'Connell, Sean Sherlock TD and Fionn O'Connell at the Fermoy and Mallow against Racism solidarity rally to welcome asylum seekers to Fermoy, at the junction of Oliver Plunkett Hill and Mallow Road, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Up to 300 people gathered in Fermoy this afternoon for a rally in support of refugees and asylum seekers.

It followed a protest on Wednesday night by dozens of people outside an accommodation centre in the town where 66 recently arrived international protection (IP) applicants are staying.