'It was a shock to us' - Ukrainian refugees in west Cork have their lives upended by decision to relocate them

Many local Ukrainians had established lives in Bantry, forming deep connections within the community. The abrupt relocations forced families to disrupt their routines and relationships, causing widespread concern.

Vasyl expressed his disbelief regarding the short notice of the government’s relocation decision, emphasizing, 'It was a shock for us to know that we have to move to another county, to another hotel. We've established roots here.'

Development officer Kathryn Kingston highlighted the broader implications of these relocations, stating, 'It's really affected everything—the community, local businesses, and schools—Ukrainians are integral to our local fabric.'

Read at Irish Independent