"Welcome to Navan"

The community of Navan and Meath have rallied round in support of newly arrived Ukrainian refugees who experienced a protest outside their Navan accommodation on Friday night.

The refugees, most of whom had only just escaped the Russian bombardment days before, were putting children to bed on Friday evening when a small handful of protesters gathered outside shouting "out, out, out" and disrupting commuter traffic.

The response from the local community since then has been extremely welcoming with people arriving to their accommodation on the Dublin Road with clothes, toys, home cooked food, buggies and offers of help.

The small group of protesters had gathered at Market Square on Friday evening and marched to the former guesthouse on the Dublin Road where the refugees have been housed.

Local businesswoman, Linda Murray, was one of those who arrived on Saturday morning to show support and welcome the Ukrainians to Ireland.

"I saw a video of the protest on Friday night and felt physically sick to see people chanting 'out, out, out,' while people inside were putting their children to bed. I don't care who was inside, I would hate them to experience that.

"I showed it to my children and they said it made them feel sad, so they made cards welcoming them to Navan and we went down to deliver them on Saturday morning."

Linda shared a video on Saturday morning that received massive support on social media and was inundated with messages from people who wanted to know how they could help.

She runs The Zone Activity Centre and has invited the refugees to visit the centre this week.

"The good thing is that the refugees feel, safe warm and welcomed. The environment there is really nice. There are 18 women, eight children and one man staying there."

Colette Keaney, who has befriended and supported Ukrainian refugees in Duleek over the past year also visited the refugees on Saturday.

"It was great to see so many people arriving with home-baked goods, toys and clothes."

Colette heard that a second protest had been planned for Monday and arranged for the refugees to attend the Meath Ladies football match in Pairc Tailteann to get them away while the protest was taking place. It is understood that protest did not go ahead.

"The Ukrainian children played on the pitch at half time with local children. One Ukrainian grandmother was crying in the stand with joy at how welcoming everyone was.

"The Ukrainians who have arrived are fleeing a war zone and are deeply traumatised. Those arriving have stayed at home until now but were forced to leave because of the recent heavy bombing.

"They are dealing with traumatised children and ringing home every day to see if there elderly parents are still alive.

"Most of those who arrived are highly educated and include a doctor, who no doubt will sometime be treating some of those who were showing hatred on Friday night."

Colette said the refugees were settling in happily and feel safe and secure and know now that the have "the support and love of the community."

Cllr Alan Lawes said it was great to see the support those who arrived received from the people of Navan.

"People arrived with all sort of items they might need. It was disgusting to protest like that outside accommodation where women and children, who had already been traumatised enough were staying."

Tinu Achioya of Cultúr Migrant Rights Centre said a group of the newly arrived Ukrainians were meeting with them this morning, where they would be getting help and advice.

She said Cultúr would also be navigating how best to support the refugees and the local community volunteers who were the refugees.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian Day will be held at Frank's Boyne Valley Cottage in Donore on Sunday next from 2 to 5pm where Ukrainians living in the area will be welcomed for an afternoon of music and fun, as well a "a big hand of friendship".