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Donal O'Regan, 4 Feb
A PROTEST is taking place in Limerick city this Sunday afternoon over a
plan to house Ukrainians in a former school.
Around 60 men, women and children were in attendance at 12.30pm outside
the former Salesian School at Fernbank, just off North Circular Road.
The building is to be used as a temporary accommodation centre for
people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Up to 251 refugees are set to share 19 of the classrooms at the former
secondary school. A number of parents with children at the neighbouring
Salesian Primary School, which has 420 students, have pledged to do
“everything we can” to halt this.
A number of placards read: "I am a concerned parent from Poland. I am
not right wing. Leo, what about our kids safety?" and "Leo and co, does
our safety not matter?" and "We are not far right. We are just
concerned".
Marc O'Donovan, one of the parents who spoke to Limerick Live, said
they want "clarity".
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Backlash over plan to house Ukrainians in former Limerick school
"If it was 251 of my own friends going in there I wouldn't be happy
about it. The complete disregard for the children's safety is
astonishing," said Mr O'Donovan.
It is not known how long the protest is set to last, however, a canopy
has been erected.
Doras, which promotes and protects the rights of refugees and migrants
in Ireland, said in a post on social media: "Protests at an
accommodation centre are unnecessary and achieve nothing except
bringing distress and fear to everyone. Stay safe. Stay away."
A statement from the Clanmaurice Residents Association on the protest
was sent to Limerick Live on Saturday.
"The members of Clanmaurice Residents Association as a group would like
it to be known that they are happy to welcome the families coming to
live in the old Salesian secondary school in Fernbank.
"We understand that while the building itself might not be ideal, the
idea is to offer refuge to families and people in their hour of need.
We wish to distance ourselves from certain groups that are protesting
and potentially endangering our local residents and children in the
nearby school.
"They do not reflect the majority of people living and working in the
local area. The Clanmaurice Residents Association are open to offering
support where possible and welcoming the new arrivals to our city in
the coming weeks," reads the statement.