More services needed before refugees arrive – protest group
FACILITIES Three-week wait for a blood test
The Department of Integration is still considering the former White Horse Hotel in Cootehill to accommodate Ukrainian refugees.
The application is being considered for ‘Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) that is those fleeing the war in Ukraine’.
Asked for an update, a spokesperson from the Department said: “The offer itself was recently received so we are not yet in a position to state whether the building is suitable. Negotiations are ongoing. We cannot comment further on the details of the offer at this time.” In response, a local group named ‘Concerned Citizens of Cootehill’ completed their 18th week of public protest last weekend, highlighting their concerns that the building could potentially be used to accommodate ‘undocumented’ asylum seekers.
In response to the Department statement that the building will be used to house Ukrainian refugees, the group said: “We have continued to hold our weekly community meetings and will continue to do so until we know that The White Horse Hotel will be used specifically to house Ukrainian refugees only.”
The group claimed it has been in contact with communities across Ireland who were “given the very same reassurances” from the Department but said “that was not the case”.
“Each of these communities received large numbers of undocumented male migrants and not a single woman or child in sight,” the group contended.
Asked for an example of one town where this occurred, the group did not provide a specific example.
The group also said there are “hardly any” facilities available in the town of Cootehill to cater for its existing population. They say there is a three-week waiting list for “a simple blood test” appointment and there is no permanent garda stationed in the town.
“Just someone on duty at 7pm on a Friday evening,” a spokesperson suggested.
“There are so many unanswered questions and lack of engagement with our community,” the campaigners said, feeling that they have “no other choice” but to continue to hold their weekly demonstrations until their concerns have been addressed.
“The safety and wellbeing of our whole community is and has always been our main focus, that’s what’s been driving us,” they said.
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