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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
‘She could wander into traffic': Dementia patient's daughter pleads for safer housing before Cork hotel eviction
Vera Arksonova spends every waking hour consumed by fear that someone is coming to hurt her. She carries around as many possessions as she can in the belief that she is being watched and will soon be robbed of everything. The 72-year-old resident of the Quality Hotel in Youghal knows that something is coming. The fact that she and other Ukrainian families will be forced to leave their homes on July 31 has only served to heighten her confusion. It was initially believed that the grandmother was suffering from shock when she arrived from Ukraine three years ago. Tests carried out by Irish doctors confirmed the condition was in fact dementia. Vera is now cared for by her daughter Violetta. The 31-year-old has two children — a daughter Samira (nine months) and five-year-old son Damir — with her husband Roman. Violetta explains that Roman also has a litany of health challenges following concussions sustained during his time on the frontline of the war with Russia. A brain injury he experienced during childhood had been further compounded by battle wounds. Violeta Pratsovyta (left) with her mother Vera Aksonova. Picture: Dan Linehan Hundreds of Ukrainian residents of the Youghal hotel were first told they had to vacate six months ago via a letter from the Department of Integration. That announcement sent shockwaves through the seaside town, as the refugees, who had built lives in Youghal, were initially given just two weeks to prepare to leave their makeshift home. Following a huge local campaign and a groundswell of support for the residents, many of whom had been living in the hotel since shortly after the Russian invasion of their country, the eviction date was subsequently extended to next week, July 31. Violetta has since received news that her family is being relocated to a hotel in Waterford city. Details of the new living environment have come as a devastating blow, given that the accommodation is situated on a bustling city street. Violetta described it as an extremely dangerous environment for her mother, as a dementia sufferer who is known to wander off at any time of day or night. Often times, she will be searching for the shops and bus stops she once frequented back home in Ukraine. She is now pleading with the government to reconsider their choice of accommodation for the family. 'This will be really dangerous for her,' Violetta said, fighting back tears. 'We have comfort here, knowing that she is safe and in an enclosed environment. "Sometimes my mother will visit the reception of the hotel three times and ask the same questions because she doesn't remember going there. She is known to wander off but everyone looks out for her here. If they see her acting in a such a way that is aggressive they know it's dementia. There are not many cars here so we know she's not in danger. Now, we have to take her to a busy place where nobody knows her and she could easily wander into traffic. She also reiterated the importance of routine for her mother's health. 'My mother needs access to a kitchen. This is essential for her mental health. "Cooking, chopping, and washing dishes helps her stay connected to reality. Her doctor stated that having a kitchen is part of her therapy. Without it, she may rapidly deteriorate.' Violetta does her utmost to reassure her mother. 'My mother believes that someone is trying to hurt her. She absolutely refuses to move and keeps saying she wants to return to Ukraine. She often talks about it and says she feels unwell. Her appetite has also declined. She is afraid that we will leave her. Lately, my mother's condition has worsened. She sleeps very poorly at night and often gets up and walks around. "The doctors have prescribed her different medication to help her fall asleep, as the previous ones were no longer effective.' Vera's biggest fear is losing their adored dog Dana. Residents have been told they cannot bring their pets with them. Violetta, however, said they are not about to part with a member of their family. 'My husband has vowed to sleep with him in the car every night because we can't have him inside. He has been with us since I was pregnant with my first child. "He fled war with us so there is no way we can give him up. We don't want him to be put to sleep.' Oleksandra Makoviei, who is also a resident in the Youghal hotel, said that exceptions should be made for families like Violetta's. 'I thank the government because we would never have had this opportunity without them. We were able to learn English for three years and find jobs. "It's okay for me because I have a healthy mother. Violetta has too much on her shoulders. The children are used to school in the area. We help each other. Violetta has support here. It's harder for some families than others. Fiona Corcoran from Cork charity the Greater Chernobyl Cause, who has been lobbying on behalf of the Quality Hotel residents, reminded the government of their duties. 'This is not just a moral issue, it is a legal one. According to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, public bodies are legally required to act in accordance with the principles of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination, especially when it comes to vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, women, children, and war-affected families. "We at The Greater Chernobyl Cause are steadfast in our dedication to providing support to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters during this critical period, which is of the uttermost importance. It is entirely unjust to forcibly remove Ukrainian residents from their sanctuary, particularly those who are ill and require medical care.' She said that forcing people to part with their pets will be truly heartbreaking for families. 'The government allowed Ukrainian refugees to bring their pets from war-torn Ukraine. Now, they are forcing them to find new homes for their animals. "Life would be incomplete without their pets. They provide essential emotional support in coping with the trauma caused by death, occupation, conflict, and the experience of becoming a refugee. "We must also remember that our Ukrainians cannot return home because there is no safe area in war-torn Ukraine.' Read More Cost of accommodating each asylum seeker rises to €84 a day
Irish Examiner
21-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
'It's going to be so traumatic to lose them': Youghal rallies round Ukrainians set to be relocated
With one business owner set to lose a third of his workforce, the eviction of 400 Ukrainians from Youghal, Co Cork, has come as a hammer blow to employers in the East Cork town. With just days to go until their scheduled eviction on July 31, residents of the Quality Hotel in Youghal made one last plea to remain in situ — and to safeguard their livelihoods. Waving handmade signs emblazoned with messages such as 'we don't want to lose our jobs,' dozens gathered at Green Park in Youghal in a last-ditch attempt to highlight their plight. Inna Melnyk, Oleksandryna Hendler, and Alla Rakovych are among the 400 Ukrainian people who have built a life in Youghal, Co Cork, after fleeing the Russian invasion. Picture: Howard Crowdy The gathering was co-ordinated by Fiona Corcoran from Cork charity the Greater Chernobyl Cause who has been supporting the residents over the last couple of months since they were first told they needed to move on. Employers in the town have been equally vocal on how the relocation will impact their businesses. A number of business owners say they will now have to cope with the additional costs involved in recruiting and training replacement staff. Residents were first informed they had to vacate the Quality Hotel six months ago via a letter from the Department of Integration. That announcement caused shockwaves in the seaside town as residents were initially given just two weeks to find new homes. Following a huge local campaign — a groundswell of support for the residents, many of whom had been living in the hotel since shortly after the Russian invasion of their country, the eviction date was subsequently extended to July 31. The reason the residents were given for their eviction was, according to the letter, that: 'The department is consolidating its accommodation portfolio in line with the changing circumstances, which includes fewer people arriving from Ukraine and an increase in the number leaving state-funded accommodation.' Some of the Ukrainian children who face relocation from Youghal along with their families at the recent rally in Green Park co-ordinated by Fiona Corcoran of the Greater Chernobyl Cause. Picture: Howard Crowdy While alternative accommodation facilities will be offered to the residents, these are scattered across different parts of the country, far from friends, schools, and employers. Sylvia Rodriguez, who is the lodge accommodation manager at Fota Island Resort, said she will lose nine of her employees as a result of the relocations. 'I am losing nine very valuable staff members,' she told the Irish Examiner. These are not just any staff. They are brilliant and we couldn't be there without them. "They are important to me and for the operations here. This is summertime, our busiest time so it's terrible to hear they are moving out. This isn't just about the work. These are nine beautiful people. Because everyone is close, their problem becomes our problem.' She said the nine employees are all highly regarded by their colleagues. 'These are people who had to abandon their country as well as their professions. They came here well educated. They have already been here for three years. 'I have three teachers and one woman who owned and managed her own beauty salon back in Ukraine. They took jobs cleaning and had no shame in doing that. All of them had big positions and had to start from zero again. It's going to be so traumatic to lose them.' Ukrainian refugees and their families at a recent rally protesting their impending eviction from the Quality Hotel in Youghal Co Cork. Picture: Howard Crowdy Sam Coakley, owner of Ken-Co Cleaning Services in Youghal, shares her sentiments. 'We have 30 people working here and we are going to be losing 10,' he said. 'All these people are working, living in Youghal, and paying taxes. It's not as if they want to sit at home and claim social welfare. They want to be at work. They are very reliable. There are a number of these people who have been with me for years. It's hard to get staff because they come and go. This is happening at a time when every industry is short staffed.' He believes forcing the Ukrainians to relocate will set the community back. 'Other businesses in Youghal want to grow and employ more people. However, staff are being taken away — leaving employers having to start searching and training again. 'You have a lot of time and money invested in people. "I just hope an agreement can be reached where people can stay. As an employer who has a third of their workforce from the Quality Hotel, this has been really hard to accept. People are being moved to Tralee, Waterford, and Dundalk, among other locations. 'Sadly, wherever people are relocated to, they will probably find themselves in the same position in two years' time when they are moved again. "The reality is that securing accommodation is impossible as people are being priced out of the market. There needs to be a plan in place where the residents can stay because it would be really beneficial to the community.' Twins Svitlana and Tefiana are among the many children who face eviction from the Quality Hotel in Youghal Co Cork next Thursday, July 31. Children will be uprooted from schools and parents will lose their jobs in the locality as a result of the relocation plan. Picture: Howard Crowdy Former Miss Ukraine Alla Rakovych from Odesa was supported by the community in East Cork to pursue her dream of becoming a life coach. She now offers sessions in a private office, thanks to Enterprise Youghal. She has also published her own book, I Believe in You, which is available in a selection of local stores. 'I am a single mum who worked as an accountant for 10 years. I have been here for three years and it's a lovely town. "We want to be able to share our energy and our knowledge with people and help the town grow. My son is 12 years old and loves Bunscoil Mhuire, Youghal. Having to leave will be very destructive for him. Meanwhile, Siobhan Sheehan from Enterprise Youghal said that many residents from the Quality Hotel have done their utmost to contribute to the community. 'Each person is trying their hardest,' she said. 'They have put down roots. They are an asset to both Youghal Community Employment and Youghal Community Services. We have eight people from Ukraine with us and they are working hard both in training and in community activities.' Colin Kelly from Kelly's Cars and Commercial Repairs in Little Island said the relocations will have a detrimental impact on his business. 'I have two Ukrainian people working for me and the only word I could use to describe this relocation is detrimental. It's impossible to get staff now and these guys are brilliant. They have contributed immensely to my business. Fiona Corcoran from the Greater Chernobyl Cause said she will continue lobbying on behalf of the residents. 'A number of people who want to work are going to end up on the live register as a direct result of this relocation,' she said. 'There are also other additional costs that haven't been factored in. 'These include the logistics of relocating as well as items like school uniforms among other costs. 'We also need to consider the health needs of those who are seriously ill who now won't have access to their local GPs and hospital support.'
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
B.C. bookkeeper gets conditional sentence, probation for helping hotels evade nearly $1M in GST
Aeddy Leung worked as the bookkeeper for the Quality Hotel Airport (South), left, and the Coast Vancouver Airport Hotel during the 2014 through 2018 tax filing periods, the CRA said in a statement Friday. (Photos from hotel websites)
