GAA Clubs should convert dressing rooms for Ukrainian refugees – Cllr Leahy

A CALL was made this week to all GAA Clubs to convert their dressing rooms to accommodate refugees from Ukraine.
Cllr John Leahy told Monday's monthly meeting of Birr Municipal District that the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine has shocked us all.
He said the humane and humanitarian response of many Irish people to this terrible war has been very good to see, but we can do a lot more.
“I think quite a few GAA clubs could do quite a lot more,” the councillor pointed out. “Quite a few of them, perhaps 70% of them, have four dressing rooms. They didn't use the dressing rooms during the last two years of Covid, and perhaps they mightn't use them for another few months. They could convert some of the space into bedsits, maybe two of the dressing rooms. I am calling on GAA clubs throughout the midlands and throughout all of Ireland to think seriously about this, to put their shoulder to the wheel if asked to do so, to act.
“Many of us have been watching a lot of news about the war, horrified and wishing we could bring the pain and suffering to an end.”
He said Irish Red Cross might soon be calling on Irish people to provide accommodation in their homes for refugees from the conflict coming into the country.
“We councillors have received calls from locals in recent days who are appalled by what is happening and want to accommodate the refugees in their homes. They are often asking us what are the practicalities of accommodating people in their houses? We are not sure how to respond. It might perhaps help if we got a briefing on the practicalities, on the logistics, from Irish Red Cross.
“I thinking living in bedsits in some of the club dressing rooms would be better than being in a hotel or a B&B. I'd rather be looking at the fields and hedges of rural Ireland than a hotel corridor.”
The other councillors agreed with Councillor Leahy's suggestion. “We are all extremely concerned with what is happening in Ukraine,” said Cllr Peter Ormond, Cathaoirleach of Birr MD. “It would be a good idea to liaise more closely with Irish Red Cross and get more practical information.”
Cllr Eamon Dooley agreed. “Everyone wants to help,” he said. “Perhaps we could issue more CPOs for derelict buildings and convert them into accommodation for the refugees?”
Red Cross teams are on the ground in Ukraine, working to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities, and help families with life-saving food and hygiene items.
“This is a rapidly evolving crisis,” said Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. “Your kind donations are helping those affected get food, medicine, shelter and water. Your support will also help the Red Cross to assist those displaced by conflict.”
Cllr Leahy said he had made the point of converting dressing rooms into accommodation on radio a couple of days previous to the Birr MD meeting. “After the radio programme I got a few calls from people in GAA clubs who said they would be in favour of the idea, but wanted information from the government concerning insurance and timeframes. The insurance of course would have to be properly sorted out beforehand and the timeframe should be no more than two or three months. The dressing rooms would be a place of transition before the refugees move to other homes in the community.
“I have also been contacted by tradesmen, such as electricians and plumbers, who told me they would do the conversion work in the dressing rooms for free.”
He said that he believes Ireland could accommodate 100,000 refugees if dressing rooms are repurposed.