Decision to relocate Ukrainian refugees living in East Cork hotel put on hold
A group of Ukrainian refugees from Youghal were given notice to evict from the Quality Hotel in Redbarn pictured with Eoghan O'Neill, Principal of Bunscoil Youghal and Fiona Corcorcan, charity founder of Greater Chernobyl Cause. Picture: Howard Crowdy
The Department of Integration has put on hold the decision to relocate up to 400 Ukrainian refugees who had been living in a hotel in East Cork.
The group of Ukrainian refugees had been told they would have to vacate their current accommodation at the former Quality Hotel in Youghal by February 7.
The letter from the department, which was seen by the , was unsigned and undated.
Local Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor said he had been informed of the temporary suspension of the decision to move the Ukrainian families from the hotel.
He said the move would have caused enormous disruption. Many of the refugees are either working or at school in the town and its surrounds.
With almost 150 children amongst those poised to be moved elsewhere, the TD said “the short-term goal now is to ensure that children can complete their exams”.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner last week, principal Eoghan Rua O'Neill said he feared many of the 50 Ukrainian pupils in Bunscoil Mhuire would be “scattered across the country".
He described the treatment of Ukrainian families by the department as both “inhumane” and “unacceptable”.
On Wednesday he said: “The school is happy and the parents are happy. Fingers crossed for the future”.
Olena Deriy, who has established a beauty salon in Youghal, feared she would have to close if her two Ukrainian staff were unable to secure alternative housing.
One staff member, also named Olena, and whose 16-year-old daughter attends school in Youghal, cried when she heard the news.
Wiping tears from her eyes, she echoed the sentiments of many Ukrainians in the town by saying: “I am extremely grateful to the Irish people who supported us."
Local opinion had rallied strongly around the Ukrainians, many of whom are working in the town and who have integrated considerably.
The news was not so positive for 54 Ukrainian refugees living in student accommodation in Limerick. They have now been told they will be moved into hotels and accommodation centres across the county on March 4. They had initially been told it would be March 17.
The group living in Westbourne Student Accommodation have now received a second letter from the Department of Integration, stating that they will be relocated to Bruff Accommodation, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, The Pier Hotel, as well as Stradbally North Castleconnell.
They had received a first letter, which was neither signed or dated, earlier this month, which stated they would have to be moved with 48 hours’ notice and would not be able to bring their pets.
Most of them have been living in student accommodation since 2022, with some having flown from Ukraine with their pets.
One of the residents, Anastasiia Lapko, 29, has been living in Limerick for two years with her cat, Martin. She studies in the Limerick College of Further Education.
Ms Lapko was told that she will be moved to Bruff and that transportation will be arranged for her to go to the accommodation centre.
“So far, there is no one to negotiate with for other housing except the department. Most are unhappy with these changes, because this decision does not solve the issue – many have nowhere to put their pets,” she said.
“Also, it’s far from Limerick city and people work and study. Some people need to stay in Limerick to keep their jobs, there is also a large family with bedridden elderly people, there are people with PTSD who cannot live in a room with other people. There’s also a family with a newborn.”
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