Several Ukrainian residents from Oughterard Manor, local TDs, and a group of residents known as Oughterard Welcomes All are urging Minister for Education Norma Foley to intervene and prevent the pending eviction of their neighbours.
A representative of the Oughterard Manor residents said: “We have thirteen children under 18 years old. Six attend Scoil Chuimín agus Caitríona in Oughterard, three go to St. Paul’s Secondary School, one attends Muire Doireglinne, and three are in a community college in Galway. We were sure we would stay in Oughterard as long as possible. The kids have friends, they love their schools and teachers. We already feel like part of the community. We are attending GRETB classes, joining local interest groups, taking part in events, and working. Many local people support us and stay in touch — they are our friends. We feel safe and comfortable here. It has been our home for more than two years.”
A group of residents under the name Oughterard Welcomes All echoed the residents’ appeal, calling for compassion and common sense: “It is heartbreaking to think our children’s friends, and our neighbours, could be taken out of the community for no good reason. Minister Norma Foley needs to address how people seeking asylum and people from Ukraine are being moved around like they are not human beings, like they do not have friendships, jobs, schools, and community ties. It should not matter our status, where we were born, or the colour of our skin — people belong in communities.
“It is not just the department — the new owner of Oughterard Manor needs to listen. Our message is clear: we want our neighbours to stay. Stop this eviction.”
Independent TD Catherine Connolly said: “I have the most serious concerns about the department’s lack of a coherent policy concerning the movement of asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees. My office is in constant receipt of urgent representations from very vulnerable people in Galway city and county who have been asked by the department to leave their accommodation with very little notice.
“Very often, these adults are forced to abandon their work and withdraw their children from school, despite the huge efforts they have made to settle into the community. Many are involved in voluntary work and are deeply embedded in local life. These decisions are causing further grief and turmoil for families who are already traumatised by war and famine.”
Fianna Fáil TD John Connolly added: “When people put down roots in a community, no matter who they are or where they are from, they should be supported to stay. Children should not be taken out of schools, or people from their jobs and support networks. We are urging the department to do everything it can to prevent the residents of Oughterard Manor from being pushed out.”
Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell said: “We are trying to get answers from the minister so that we can represent and inform our constituents, but there needs to be much stronger communication, as well as a strategy to keep these people in the community where they have made their home. Across the country, people seeking safety — both in the international protection system and under the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukraine — are being unfairly moved from the places they have made home. We need a planned, compassionate, and transparent approach from the minister.”
TDs have been engaging directly with residents and local groups to understand their concerns and support efforts to stop the eviction.
