Refugees are stranded without money for Luas

A COUNCILLOR has urged South Dublin County Council to extend possible links with community activities to all of the non-Ukrainian refugees staying in the Red Cow Moran Hotel.

Speaking at the recent council meeting, Cllr Alan Hayes (Ind) said he is in the Red Cow frequently for his work. The Palmerstown representative is an Educational Welfare Officer with Tusla.

“There are virtually no Ukrainian refugees living in the Red Cow. They are people in pre-reception. I am spending a significant amount of my time in my day job in the Red Cow, assisting children in relation to school matters and families,” said Cllr Hayes.

“The one thing that is standing out is they are somewhat stranded on the side of the M4 and M50 with no transport or money for the Luas or buses. It is going to be a very long summer for children living in bedrooms and indeed those in homeless accommodation.”

Mr Hayes was making the point at the meeting, following a debate, during which chief executive Daniel McLoughlin, expressed a desire that refugees at Citywest Hotel can link up with community activities.

The Red Cow Moran Hotel, has been closed to the public since early this year, housing global refugees.

In March, the Red Cow hosted a Facebook appeal for clothing/toiletry for Ukrainian refugees, but had to ask people to stop donating due to the high volume of goodwill offered by local residents and community groups.

The hotel is booked out for the foreseeable future, with no bookings available on their website for the next year.