Mother devastated after Ukrainian refugees told to leave Cork hotel 

A mother has spoken of her devastation after Ukrainian refugess living in a hotel in East Cork were told they would have to move out of the accommodation within weeks.

Mother of two Mila Rylushkin, among those told they will have to leave the Quality Hotel at Redbarn, Youghal by February 7, told The Echo: “We are devastated. We love this place, we have been here for three years and we work here, have kids in school — we had started to believe that we could have a peaceful life. Now we are worried about our children, we want to make sure they won’t end up with more mental and psychological problems.

“Because we will be moving in the middle of the school year, there is no guarantee there will be places in schools wherever we go. It’s a huge stress for the little children and bigger children as well —they have already chosen subjects for their exams, so moving school would be a disaster.

“Local people are telling us: ‘You are our friends, you’re our colleagues, you’re a part of the community’ — we have so many connections, we have jobs here, we take part in local events. I understand how the system works, but we are real people, we are not just names on a list. What is really worrying is the letter said that we can be moved again at any time.”

Inhumane

Social Democrats TD for Cork East, Liam Quaide, said: “This eviction notice is emotionally detached and inhumane. The residents have become part of the community in East Cork, have children attending schools and are working locally. They deserve to be treated as people, not like inanimate objects to be moved around with no regard for the lives they have built. I’m following up with the department on their behalf.”

His party colleague, East Cork councillor Eamonn Horgan, called the move “an ill-thought-out solution to an incredibly complex matter”.

“The letter given to the residents of the Quality Hotel in Redbarn is almost militant in its language. It talks about Department ‘officials’ arriving to the location on prescribed days and residents having to ‘present’ themselves with documentation.”

A department spokesperson said there are vacancies in residential contracts as the demand for accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection decreases, so “the department ends contracts on a regular basis in order to ensure value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio.” 

The spokesperson said the need for accommodation for international protection applicants is increasing and experiencing significant shortages, and the provider at the hotel site has expressed an interest in providing accommodation for international protection.