“To tell these people that they would be displaced once again over the weekend was beyond wrong”
Louth Labour TD Ged Nash has helped save 45 Ukrainian Refugees from having to move during Christmas week from their temporary homes in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dundalk where they have been living since arriving in Ireland last March.
The refugees received a Department notice on Friday last,16th December, telling them they would be moved to various locations today (Monday, 19th December), but Nash intervened with Minister Roderic O’Gorman to keep refugees in the community.
“It was extremely concerning that in the week before Christmas the Department would contemplate moving people out of the community they’ve begun to call their home” Deputy Nash said.
“Working with the local support group over the weekend, we have managed to secure a stay on this inappropriate decision to move people out of their new community.
“We must now work to identify sustainable, long-term solutions to support the forty five people – including 17 children – in the community in Dundalk. It’s not right or fair to issue a notice to move people who have integrated into the community since March, especially around this time of the year.
“There are 17 children affected who are in schools locally, making friends, picking up new hobbies. They have been busily decorating the hotel they have called home since March, looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus in less than a weeks’ time.
“Similarly, many of the adults have taken up work locally. To tell these people that they would be displaced once again over the weekend was beyond wrong.
“Ireland has stepped up to the mark to protect those fleeing Putin’s atrocious war. I welcome the Minister’s compassionate intervention for those in Dundalk for which he deserves credit, but we need to stop haphazard notices to move people out of the communities that they’ve integrated into.
“Communities all across Ireland have joined in solidarity with Ukraine, as we roll out a welcome and offer sanctuary to refugees coming here to flee war and terror at home. We must do all we can to support and protect those who wish to stay in their new communities.”
