Decision to move Ukrainians from Killarney hotel reversed
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Loading... - Zeta Carpino
- 12 Oct 2022
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Ukrainian refugees who were told they were being moved from their accommodation in Killarney, Co Kerry, to Westport in Co Mayo, will now remain in the Kerry town following sustained local and political opposition to the move.
The 135 women and children will now move to alternative accommodation in the town instead.
The decision was confirmed to Kerry TDs by Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman's office this morning and has been welcomed by Deputy Government Chief Whip Brendan Griffin.
However, he said the decision should have been made earlier to avoid the trauma and worry caused to those involved.
The Mayor of Killarney and a number of local support groups had called on Minister O'Gorman to reverse the decision on the basis of the efforts that had been made to integrate the Ukrainian people into the community in Killarney.
A Ukrainian woman who has been housed in the Killarney hotel said they were given 48 hours notice that they would be moved to Co Mayo.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dina Kukushina said the Ukrainians were "very shocked because first of all we realised that we have to move on Wednesday, so it's only one full day for everything."
She said many of the Ukrainian people living in the hotel have got jobs in the area and younger people had started educational programmes.
Ms Kukushina moved to Killarney from Ukraine with her sister and two nieces and works in a local pharmacy. Read More...
