'It’s going to be so traumatic to lose them': Youghal rallies round Ukrainians set to be relocated 

Sarah Horgan talks to some of the 400 Ukrainians who want to stay — and employers and community leaders who say their impending eviction will damage the East Cork town 

Some of the Ukrainian people who have made their home in Youghal since the Russian invasion. They now face losing their jobs and having their children uprooted from local schools. Picture: Howard Crowdy

With one business owner set to lose a third of his workforce, the eviction of 400 Ukrainians from Youghal, Co Cork, has come as a hammer blow to employers in the East Cork town. 

With just days to go until their scheduled eviction on July 31, residents of the Quality Hotel in Youghal made one last plea to remain in situ — and to safeguard their livelihoods.

Waving handmade signs emblazoned with messages such as “we don’t want to lose our jobs,” dozens gathered at Green Park in Youghal in a last-ditch attempt to highlight their plight.

Inna Melnyk, Oleksandryna Hendler, and Alla Rakovych are among the 400 Ukrainian people who have built a life in Youghal, Co Cork, after fleeing the Russian invasion. Picture: Howard Crowdy

The gathering was co-ordinated by Fiona Corcoran from Cork charity the Greater Chernobyl Cause who has been supporting the residents over the last couple of months since they were first told they needed to move on.

Employers in the town have been equally vocal on how the relocation will impact their businesses. A number of business owners say they will now have to cope with the additional costs involved in recruiting and training replacement staff.

Residents were first informed they had to vacate the Quality Hotel six months ago via a letter from the Department of Integration.

That announcement caused shockwaves in the seaside town as residents were initially given just two weeks to find new homes. Following a huge local campaign — a groundswell of support for the residents, many of whom had been living in the hotel since shortly after the Russian invasion of their country, the eviction date was subsequently extended to July 31.

The reason the residents were given for their eviction was, according to the letter, that: “The department is consolidating its accommodation portfolio in line with the changing circumstances, which includes fewer people arriving from Ukraine and an increase in the number leaving state-funded accommodation.”

Some of the Ukrainian children who face relocation from Youghal along with their families at the recent rally in Green Park co-ordinated by Fiona Corcoran of the Greater Chernobyl Cause. Picture: Howard Crowdy

While alternative accommodation facilities will be offered to the residents, these are scattered across different parts of the country, far from friends, schools, and employers.

Sylvia Rodriguez, who is the lodge accommodation manager at Fota Island Resort, said she will lose nine of her employees as a result of the relocations.

“I am losing nine very valuable staff members,” she told the Irish Examiner.

These are not just any staff. They are brilliant and we couldn’t be there without them. 

"They are important to me and for the operations here. This is summertime, our busiest time so it’s terrible to hear they are moving out. This isn’t just about the work. These are nine beautiful people. Because everyone is close, their problem becomes our problem.”

She said the nine employees are all highly regarded by their colleagues.

“These are people who had to abandon their country as well as their professions. They came here well educated. They have already been here for three years.

“I have three teachers and one woman who owned and managed her own beauty salon back in Ukraine. They took jobs cleaning and had no shame in doing that. All of them had big positions and had to start from zero again. It’s going to be so traumatic to lose them.”

Ukrainian refugees and their families at a recent rally protesting their impending eviction from the Quality Hotel in Youghal Co Cork. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Sam Coakley, owner of Ken-Co Cleaning Services in Youghal, shares her sentiments.

“We have 30 people working here and we are going to be losing 10,” he said. “All these people are working, living in Youghal, and paying taxes. It’s not as if they want to sit at home and claim social welfare. They want to be at work. They are very reliable. There are a number of these people who have been with me for years. It’s hard to get staff because they come and go. This is happening at a time when every industry is short staffed.”

He believes forcing the Ukrainians to relocate will set the community back.

“Other businesses in Youghal want to grow and employ more people. However, staff are being taken away — leaving employers having to start searching and training again.

“You have a lot of time and money invested in people. 

"I just hope an agreement can be reached where people can stay. As an employer who has a third of their workforce from the Quality Hotel, this has been really hard to accept. 

People are being moved to Tralee, Waterford, and Dundalk, among other locations.

“Sadly, wherever people are relocated to, they will probably find themselves in the same position in two years’ time when they are moved again. 

"The reality is that securing accommodation is impossible as people are being priced out of the market. There needs to be a plan in place where the residents can stay because it would be really beneficial to the community.”

Twins Svitlana and Tefiana are among the many children who face eviction from the Quality Hotel in Youghal Co Cork next Thursday, July 31. Children will be uprooted from schools and parents will lose their jobs in the locality as a result of the relocation plan. Picture: Howard Crowdy 

Former Miss Ukraine Alla Rakovych from Odesa was supported by the community in East Cork to pursue her dream of becoming a life coach. She now offers sessions in a private office, thanks to Enterprise Youghal. She has also published her own book, I Believe in You, which is available in a selection of local stores.

“I am a single mum who worked as an accountant for 10 years. I have been here for three years and it’s a lovely town. 

"We want to be able to share our energy and our knowledge with people and help the town grow. 

My son is 12 years old and loves Bunscoil Mhuire, Youghal. Having to leave will be very destructive for him. 

Meanwhile, Siobhan Sheehan from Enterprise Youghal said that many residents from the Quality Hotel have done their utmost to contribute to the community.

“Each person is trying their hardest,” she said.

“They have put down roots. They are an asset to both Youghal Community Employment and Youghal Community Services. We have eight people from Ukraine with us and they are working hard both in training and in community activities.”

Colin Kelly from Kelly’s Cars and Commercial Repairs in Little Island said the relocations will have a detrimental impact on his business.

“I have two Ukrainian people working for me and the only word I could use to describe this relocation is detrimental. 

It’s impossible to get staff now and these guys are brilliant. They have contributed immensely to my business. 

Fiona Corcoran from the Greater Chernobyl Cause said she will continue lobbying on behalf of the residents.

“A number of people who want to work are going to end up on the live register as a direct result of this relocation,” she said.

“There are also other additional costs that haven’t been factored in.

“These include the logistics of relocating as well as items like school uniforms among other costs.

“We also need to consider the health needs of those who are seriously ill who now won’t have access to their local GPs and hospital support.”