Gormanston camp ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees

Groups of Ukrainian refugees are expected to arrive in Gormanston Army Camp this week, as huge numbers of those feeling the war in Ukraine continue to arrive into the country.

The local community is rallying around to welcome the new arrivals and Fr Michael Hinds, chaplain at Gormanston Army Camp, is organising a collection for the arrivals.

Those arriving at Gormanston will be mainly women and children and it is believed that for the moment they will be for short stays of 24 to 48 hours duration.

However, local Senator Sharon Keogan expressed outrage at the proposal, saying a tented village is not appropriate.

"Poland has taken in over two million refugees and they have no tented villages." She said a large number of refugees had already arrived in east Meath and were being accommodated by local families.

Meanwhile a supply centre has been established in the camp and Fr Michael is asking people to donate the items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary products, shower gel, female deodorants, liquid soap, towels, underwear and socks for women and children.

There will be a collection on Saturday at Julianstown Church Carpark from 3-3.30 pm and at Stamullen Church Carpark from 12-12.30pm.

"They have done a phenomenal job is setting it all up with the local community donating a huge amount of things from sofas to sterilisers to bikes- unbelievable generosity from everybody," said a community spokesperson.

The army were constructing a tented village at the army base in recent weeks which the government said would only be used if hotels and other spaces have run out.

Soldiers from the Ordnance Corps and the Engineering Corps erected the tents on solid raised bases.

To date, Ukrainian arrivals who have sought accommodation have been accommodated through the International Protection Accommodation Service.