Ukrainian refugees who moved to Limerick after the outbreak of war say they feel deeply embedded in the communities where they have settled.
In most cases the refugees were welcomed by neighbours, registered in schools and joined community groups.
With a growing number of hotels across Ireland pulling out of housing refugees, the groups are worried about the instability of future accommodation and afraid of leaving the community they have come to know and love.
A group of 54 Ukrainian refugees living in Limerick received letters informing them of their relocation addresses, where they will be moved in early March.
The group, who have been living in Westbourne Student Accommodation for more than two years.
In previous letters, the group were also told their new accommodation would not allow pets, of which there are 18 among the group.
In the newest letters received this week the group have been informed they will be split amon three accommodation centres – two hotels and one centre in Bruff, Co Limerick.
Daria Revvo is a 40-year-old mother and caregiver who has lived in Limerick city with her family for more than two years – she is now being moved to hotel accommodation.
Her 16-year-old daughter attends secondary school locally, and their whole family has integrated into the community. She says Limerick “has become our home”.
“Since arriving, my daughter, husband and I have been in communication with all the neighbours – Ukrainians and Irish – and growing flowers and vegetables in the accommodation’s garden every year, to make it beautiful,” she said.
Ms Revvo’s grandmother is 91 and extremely unwell.
The family have had a cat, Masha, for more than eight years, and insist she is a vital family member.
Yaroslava Moskalenko has also been allocated to move to a hotel with her disabled mother, where she cannot bring her dog and two cats.
Ms Moskalenko said she won’t move into the hotel accommodation as she “won’t betray or throw away” her animals.
“For me, a new place, moving, new people, especially new neighbours, is a huge stress and here everything was great for us,” Yaroslava said.
She is “depressed” at the thought of moving away from the community she has built around her current accommodation.
Anastasiia Lapko is a 29-year-old student at Limerick College of Further Education who moved to Ireland after enduring the full-scale invasion of Kyiv Oblast.
She is being relocated to Bruff, where her cat, Martin, can continue to live with her – but she will be far away from college.
“As a volunteer, I see that group resettlements of Ukrainians don’t work – rather it has a bad effect on integration,” Ms Lapko said.
“People are in despair, no one knows what to do. We are very grateful that Ireland sheltered us but forced migration is much more difficult than usual, much more complex, and we are asking for a little more time.”
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