‘My house is full, people have been very, generous’

As Dunboyne awaits the arrival of a number of Ukrainian refugees, a local woman has been organising a collection of supplies to help those arriving here and to send to refugees arriving in Poland.

Mairead Murphy points out that while some arrivals here in Ireland will be coming to family members, others will be arriving with nothing.

“We have been collecting things they will need like clothes for infants, teenagers,woman, nappies, personal hygiene products, everything they might need.”

Mairead points out that many young childen who have been potty trained may regress and need nappies as a result of the trauma.

“The images coming out of Ukraine are heartbreaking,” she says.

Mairead is aware of one small family that arrived to Clonee last week and another two that are coming to Dunboyne in the next few days.

Mairead has experience of working with refugees. A trained breast-feeding consultant, she has worked on the Greek island of Khios, near the Turkish border where she went to help mothers and babies, but also worked with with the many other refugees arriving.

She travelled to the refugee camps in Greece with Athboy woman, Deirdre Sheridan and Jane Donegan of Donegal.

Mairead said the response to one Facebook appeal she made for the people of Ukraine has been amazing.

“My house is full. People have been very, generous. The hall, sitting room and playroom are full. Everybody wants to help.”