Reception committee in place to welcome families to Moynalvey

A RECEPTION committee has been established in Moynalvey ahead of the arrival of 29 asylum seekers at the former Dorey's Forge property, while a number of local organisations have also pledged their support.

From Monday of this week, 29 international protection applicants were due to be accommodated in five self-contained apartments at the former pub, but at time of writing had not yet arrived at the property.

A proposal to form a reception committee was adopted at a well-attended information meeting held in Moynalvey GFC last Tuesday night in relation to the planned housing of refugees at Collegelands Forge.

Following on from that meeting, local households were approached for nominees and eight local residents have agreed to be part of the Collegelands Liaison Committee which met for the first time on Thursday and will liaise with Meath County Council and the service provider. Its objectives are to support the Council's Integration Team and monitor the fulfilment of all commitments made by the service provider.

Emer Irwin who is heavily involved in the Summerhill Ukrainian Support Committee said she has been liaising with the property owner and they are ready to provide support to the residents when they arrive.

She said they have already had people get in touch asking if they need donations and offering their support.

The Summerhill Ukrainian Support Committee runs online English classes and these will be offered to residents of Collegelands Forge if needed and they will also provide help with transport. Other organisations including Helping Irish Hosts and the local Sona Sásta Meals on Wheels service have also pledged their support.

The Summerhill Ukrainian Support Committee has been working with the Ukrainian community not just in Summerhill but also Maynooth and the general south Meath area over the past two years offering practical help such as running online English classes for those that need it, and help in areas like CVs, and finding employment.

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon a small group of protesters believed to be from the general Moynalvey area gathered outside the property for about an hour before dispersing.

It appears that anonymous letter that has been circulated in the area claiming that 40 males were to be accommodated there, may have been what motivated those who came out to protest, despite the briefing from the Department of Integration clearly stating that property would be used to accommodated families only. This was reiterated by the property owner Michael Corcoran both at the recent meeting in Moynalvey GFC and also to this newspaper that the contract is for families only.

Local resident Ronnie Munck, who is also a member of the recently established Collegelands Liaison Committee, said that while people locally remain totally opposed to the location for an IPAS facility, the committee will ensure that care is given to newcomers to the area and that the service provider is held to account.

Collegelands Forge owner, Michael Corcoran told this newspaper the five apartments had been fitted out to the highest standards by local contractors and he and his wife, Davina looked forward to welcoming the new guests and that they hoped the ‘community managed’ facility would lead the way in showing how international protection applicants can be welcomed.