A 72-year-old man with stage three cancer is among a group of vulnerable Ukrainians who are due to be moved from their accommodation in Citywest.
He was among dozens of Ukrainians with disabilities or medical issues who demonstrated outside the entrance to the Citywest complex today. They are due to be moved from the site in stages beginning on Thursday.
The demonstrators are calling on the Minister for Justice to reverse plans to end the provision of housing for the vulnerable group of Ukrainians living at Citywest.
The Government announced earlier this year it was phasing out the State provision of accommodation for Ukrainians.
Speaking via a translator, several of those attending today’s demonstration shared their stories.
‘I have no place to go,’ says 72-year-old man with cancer
Serhil Korh is 72 years old and has stage three cancer. He attends hospital in Dublin at least twice a month. He is also partially blind. His application for alternative State-supported housing has been denied. He said he has nowhere else to go.
“During the application filling, these people that were helping me, they put some error concerning my information and my application was not accepted.
“I have applied six times after that, and six times I have received a denial because they said if you have not applied (by the) 17th you are not eligible anymore.
“I have no place to go,” added Mr Korh.
Blind couple worried about son getting pre-school place
Serhii and Irina, are both blind and have a young son.
“We are a blind family. Our child can see but we cannot,” Irina said. The family are due to be sent to Inchmore House in Co Offaly.
“We are told it is surrounded by fields and trees. There is an absence of infrastructure and for us blind people it is difficult to find roads in a new place.
“I’m very connected to Dublin because once a month I have to do medical appointments in [the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital] after the surgery that I’ve had.
“We also have social assistance who come and help us with our child… we already have found a pre-school for our son and it will be very difficult to find a new one. In that case, we won’t be able to take our child to school by ourselves,” added Irina.
Man with stage four cancer attends hospital in Tallaght frequently
Anatoly Nosach would like to move to a nursing home
Anatoly Nosach has stage four cancer and is confined to a wheelchair.
“I have to continuously go to Tallaght Hospital for doctors’ observation… then I have surgeries planned with my hands – my fingers are not operational after the chemotherapy.”
He has been told he is to be moved to accommodation in Kildare.
“It doesn’t work for me at all. I would like to ask if it is at least possible to find a nursing home for me to be taken care of.”
“I come from the city of Mariupol which was completely destroyed… I am very grateful to the Irish Government and to all the people of Ireland who saved me. They basically pulled me out of hell,” said Mr Nosach.
‘It’s unbearable’ – woman with autistic son will return to Ukraine
Lesia Shotkevech Dmytro said there is nothing else she can do
Lesia Shotkevech Dmytro is an older woman with an adult son who is autistic. She was visibly upset at today’s demonstration and said she has not been offered alternative accommodation and plans to return to Ukraine.
“It is absolutely impossible now. It is unbearable… everything.
“I’ll go to Ukraine to Lviv… there is nothing else for me to do.”
Room without windows is not suitable for someone my age, says older woman
Olena Bomdarevska said the situation is shocking
Olena Bomdarevska is 77 years old. She said doctors in Ireland diagnosed her with a rare blood disease, which requires ongoing observation.
She understands she is due to be moved to a rural location, with very basic accommodation.
“I think at 77 year old. It is not [a] suitable place for me without any windows or infrastructure… for me it’s very shocking,” added Ms Bomdarevska.