Asylum seekers must move to new centre
The Reception and Integration Agency informed the residents they are to be moved en masse to Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.
A number of them have resided in Poc Fada for over a year. They have formed relationships with people in the wider Cork area. Some act as volunteer workers in the many charity shops in the city. Others have assisted me to open a dialogue with young people on the topic of immigration and its impact on the lives of the host country.
Due to the trauma of past experiences, some have begun regular counselling while others attend English language classes locally and in Cork city.
All of these human connections are now being sundered. In lives marked by a series of beginnings, the residents are now faced with another involuntary move.
I realise some residents of the Cobh area are possibly not even aware of this particular refugee community in their midst. There is a touch of irony here: Cobh has a history of emigration and a current tourism industry built around it. We need to remember all emigrants. This includes the 40-plus who will leave Cobh for new beginnings elsewhere. I have one disturbing question: why the silence surrounding the closure of An Poc Fada?
Did we not know this immigrant community was in our midst? If not, then their departures will be as much a non-event as their presence. That in itself is worth reflecting on.
Fr Stephen Cummins
Director
Pastoral Care of Migrants
Diocese of Cloyne
Carrigtwohill
Co Cork
