Locals say 'No' to Government's relocation proposal for refugees in Offaly

The people of Kilcormac unanimously said 'No' last week to a government plan to move a number of Ukrainian refugees out of the town to accommodation elsewhere.

Last Friday week, December 8th, locals were shocked when letters were sent to 16 refugees living in Casey's Bar and Guesthouse stating they would be moved out of Casey's on Monday December 11th at midday and taken to accommodation in Daingean, Tullamore or Sligo.

“There was an outcry in the town about this,” Cllr John Leahy told The Midland Tribune, “and a number of locals approached me and other local councillors asking us to do something about it. They said to me the Ukrainian refugees had settled well in the town and this was an unkind way to treat them, a bolt out of the blue lacking in compassion. I contacted the Council executive who in turn contacted the Governmental Department, and we got it stopped. I think the Department were a bit taken aback by the level of opposition to moving the 16 refugees.

“The Council told the Department that the 16 refugees could be moved to the convent in Kilcormac and the Department agreed to this.”

He said the Ukrainians will therefore move to the convent bringing the number of Ukrainian refugees living in there to 60.

The councillor pointed out that the convent is sufficiently big to adequately accommodate 60 people. “There are rules,” he stated, “regarding the square footage which each person should be given in their accommodation and the convent situation is abiding by this.

“The refugees have settled well in Kilcormac since they moved here last Spring. They are now part of the community. Their children are attending our schools.”

The letters received by the refugees in Casey's Bar were sent by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Most of the people accommodated in Casey's were family units, mothers and children, most of whom are attending local schools. Locals said treating these people in this way just two weeks before Christmas was “appalling”. They pointed out, in an email sent to The Midland Tribune, that the families “are settled in Kilcormac and with the children in schools, and it would have been very disruptive moving them at short notice like this."

Some locals believe the convent is crowded and is now over capacity, “which is creating further problems, however the people were happy to be able to stay in Kilcormac for the time being.” Cllr Leahy reiterated that the accommodation set-up is sticking to the rules.

The concerned locals were “very unhappy with the way the people were treated” and weren't pleased with the contents of the letter sent to them from the Department, which they felt "lacked compassion for the people concerned.” The letter also stated that the refugees would not be able to bring their pets with them when they moved to Tullamore, Daingean or Sligo (this passage was highlighted).

This is the letter sent to the 16 refugees by the Department:

“As a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection, you were accommodated in Casey's Bar and Guesthouse. However it is no longer possible to accommodate you at this location and, accordingly, new accommodation is being provided.

“The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for the provision of suitable short term emergency accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection arriving in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive who indicate that they require assistance in obtaining accommodation.

“Given the large number of people seeking assistance with short term emergency accommodation, it is not possible to facilitate requests for accommodation of a certain type or in a particular location except on specific medical or disability grounds, as verified by the HSE. You should note that at present almost all accommodation on offer is temporary in nature and further moves may be required into the future. You should be aware that in some instances accommodation provided may be shared with other Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. It is also important to note that parents with children under 18 will be responsible, at all times, for their children in such settings.

“A further reminder in relation to any residents who have pets in the accommodation, please ensure that you have secured appropriate accommodation for your pet, as the Department cannot provide for any accommodation for pets at future facilities.

“It is also important to note that due to acute shortage of accommodation available, should you refuse an offer of re-location to alternative suitable accommodation, you will not receive further offers of accommodation from DCEDIY. You will not be permitted to remain in your current accommodation, if alternative accommodation has been allocated to you. You will not be permitted access to CityWest Transit Hub.

“You are, of course, free to source your own accommodation. If you do so please inform the Department so that an accurate record may be maintained.

“If you have children of school going age who are current enrolled in local schools, you can contact Tusla Education Support Services to arrange for re-enrolment in schools servicing the local area where your new accommodation is located.

“Please bring belongings with you, including any medication that may have been prescribed for you, to your new accommodation, Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

“Kind regards

“Ukrainian Temporary Accommodation Team.”

It was not clear why the Department decided it wanted to move the refugees from their original accommodation or what was to become of that accommodation when it had been vacated.

The locals ended their email to this newspaper stating, “The Ukrainians residents have integrated well into life in Kilcormac and have been an addition to the town. We were therefore very annoyed to see them being treated in this manner by the Department.”