THE EVICTION OF around 400 Ukrainians from a hotel in Co Cork has been described as an “affront to humanity”.

The 120-room Quality Hotel in Redbarn outside Youghal had hosted Ukrainian families since April 2022.

They were informed in January that they would have less than a month to find alternative accommodation but this was then pushed out to 31 July.

In January, the people at the hotel were told that accommodation would be offered elsewhere to those who need it and that “every effort will be made to keep them as close to their current location as possible”.

However, the Department of Integration noted that “given the significant number of moves planned, this may not always be possible”.

The statement added that the provider at this site has expressed an interest in providing accommodation for international protection following the end of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection contract.

Responsibility for integration matters has since been passed to the Department of Justice.

‘Unjust’

Fiona Corcoran of The Greater Chernobyl Cause told The Journal that around 250 people left the hotel, while others had left earlier.

The Greater Chernobyl Cause is a humanitarian aid charity based in Co Cork and founded by Corcoran.

She said it was “unjust to forcibly remove Ukrainian residents from their sanctuary” and criticised the Department of Justice for not allowing people to bring their pets with them.

“The Government allowed our Ukrainian refugees to bring in their pets from war torn Ukraine and now they’re forcing them to find new homes for their animals,” said Corcoran.

“These pets provide essential emotional support in coping with the trauma caused by the death and occupation and conflict and the experience of becoming a refugee.

“One of the women I spoke to said she brought her dog to a friend’s house and that this is ‘maybe for a while, or maybe forever’.”

The people who were being accommodated at the Quality Hotel are now being relocated in various areas around Ireland, including in neighbouring Co Kerry and Co Waterford,  but also as far away as Co Louth.

“It’s actually an affront to humanity, as far as I’m concerned,” said Corcoran of the relocation.

She said that the people in the hotel had “absolutely no say whatsoever” in where they are sent to.

“For some people, it’s actually the third time their being forcibly moved, because when Russia invaded Crimea back in 2014 some of these people lost their homes.

“Then they had to move again in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, and now once again they have to move because our Government is uprooting them.”

Corcoran also criticised the decision to move some of the people to the village of Portmagee in Kerry.

“There’s one bus a day there, and that’s actually booked in advance,” said Corcoran.

“So transport is a huge issue, there’s no GP, and the nearest hospital is 90 minutes away.”

One woman who had to move from the hotel told Newstalk that she has been resettled in Waterford.

“We hope that something could change, because everybody would like to stay here,” she said.

‘Don’t give false hope’

She also noted that around 150 of those who were living in the hotel were employed locally.

“Our government hasn’t a clue what it’s doing because that’s after creating unemployment of 150 people,” said Corcoran.

“The Government says it’s cost saving but how can it be cost saving if people are losing their jobs and then they’re on the live register.”

She also voiced concern that the move could impact on job security for special educational needs assistants who primarily worked with Ukrainian children.

Corcoran also remarked that the move is “very upsetting for the Youghal community because these Ukrainians are part of the community”.

“They’re part of the GAA and other sports and school choirs, so the locals are very, very upset and very sad to see that the Ukrainians have moved on.

Meanwhile, Cocoran said she is “very cross” with one of the local politicians.

While she didn’t name this politician, she said: “He knows who he is and shame on him.

“He gave me a guarantee last week that he would be with the Ukrainians in Youghal on Monday, and then chose not to take our calls.

“If you’re not going to get involved, that’s fine, but don’t give false hope to these Ukrainians who left their war torn country and who have lost close family members.”

The Department of Justice has been approached for comment.