'Please don’t take my home away from me' pleads Ukrainian woman, as group told to leave Cork accommodation

Ukrainians who fled the the war in their homeland and were placed in accommodation in Millstreet, Co Cork have said that they are distraught at a decision by the Department of Justice to move them from the site.

Fiona Corcoran, founder of the charity the Greater Chernobyl Cause, says that about 120 Ukrainians at the Green Glens Arena have to leave the facility by August 29. They have spent three years living in the facility.

It is understood that the decision was made without any consultation, not only with the Ukrainians onsite, but with the team at the Green Glens Arena, who were reportedly informed of the decision by the Department last week.

There is no plan for the reallocation of the accommodation to other persons seeking shelter.

Ms Corcoran says that there is a huge sense of anxiety among the residents who received their notice to leave.

“Two ladies are battling cancer, while others have heart conditions, autism, and various other concerns. Many of these individuals are in school, attending college, or working locally. There is a profound sense of sorrow within the Ukrainian community.

“They have been informed that they must find homes for their pets, as they will not be allowed to bring them to their next accommodation. Unfortunately, no one knows where they will go next.

“I call on decision makers to seriously consider the profound impact this move will have, particularly on the children and families who now call Millstreet home. It is deeply distressing.” 

Valeria Marchenko from Mariupol, who has lived in Millstreet since 2022, says she is desperate not to leave her new home.

“Even though I didn’t speak English at first, I was hired (locally). My husband has been working as a welder for the past three years. I have never met people as kind and generous as those in Ireland. They gave us a home, and we are truly happy to be here.

“We’re glad that we can contribute something in return. We pay our taxes, we work, and we’re proud to be part of this community. Arena is like a big family, we help and support each other. Please don’t take my home away from me.” 

Ms Marchenko said that when the war broke out in February 2022 her husband was away working and she was living with her mother.

“For two months and 16 days, we lived in a basement — without electricity, gas, or Internet. We were completely cut off from the outside world and didn’t understand what was happening. We only understood one thing: we could die at any moment.

“On March 8th, my godmother passed away. I took a shovel and dug a grave in our yard. I don’t know where I found the strength, but I buried her. I tried to dig deep enough so that the body wouldn't be disturbed by animals.

“There was no one left in the city — no doctors, no police, nothing was functioning. When there were fierce battles for access to water, we had to crawl on the ground to reach the sea.

“There was a stream about 2–3km away. When we couldn’t cook over a fire, we ate snow. Food was given to the children first. There were around 30 people in the basement.

“I still remember how one young man's leg was torn off when he went out to get food. They tried to save him — they cut away the shrapnel with a kitchen knife and put a burning log or coal on the wound to cauterise it.

“But sadly, he didn’t survive. He remained dead with us in the basement for another five days until we could finally carry him out and bury him.

"During all this time, my husband didn’t know whether I was alive or not.

“He was trying to find me. Some people took money from him in exchange for false information. They even told him I had died in the drama theatre.”

 Ms Marchenko said that her mother was too terrified to even leave the basement.

“But when the Russians entered, we left the city.

“My dad lived in the nearby village of Volodarsk. My mom, my cat, my dog, and I walked 22 kilometres. The city was closed, and my dad didn’t know whether I was alive or not.

“He tried to get into Mariupol five times, but they wouldn’t let him in.

“A military bus eventually took us from Volodarsk to Taganrog. From Taganrog, we made our way to Lithuania.

“My mom’s husband was waiting for us there. My husband’s family was already in Ireland because they had a car and had managed to leave earlier. My husband and I later flew to Ireland.

“We were welcomed with smiles and kindness. People gave us food, clothes, and housing. I want to say that, throughout this incredibly difficult journey, I didn’t meet a single bad person.

"I am deeply grateful to Ireland and its people.” 

It is understood that the Department of Justice has told the families that there is a reduced need for accommodation for Ukrainians in Ireland following a drop in the number of people leaving Ukraine.

They were told that the number of locations is being reduced and that all accommodation required is “temporary” in nature.

The Department of Justice has been contacted for comment.