Uncertainty still surrounded the future yesterday of the seven child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster who were ordered to return to their Belarus orphanage from Ireland almost four weeks ago.
Last month, Irish families - who have been caring for the children for periods up to three years - received the news from the director of Cherven orphanage that the children must return.
In an effort to secure their early return to Ireland, several Irish "parents" and the director of the Burren Chernobyl Project, Brother Liam O'Meara, travelled with the children back to Cherven.
However, after negotiations over the first three weeks which failed to secure the return of the children, three of the "parents" had to return to Ireland ahead of their visas expiring.
These included Ms Teresa Kehoe, from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, who has been caring for Vitalia (8), and Ms Sheila Murphy, from Ashford, Co Wicklow, who has been caring for Andre (12) and Krystina (8).
Speaking from Belarus yesterday, Brother O'Meara said: "They were upset and disappointed that they were going back without the children."
Expressing his frustration with the waiting process over what the authorities might decide, Brother O'Meara said: "It is tedious, painful and demanding great patience. The problem is that the future of the children has been caught up in bureaucracy."
He said he had enlisted the help of the Irish Embassy in Moscow to help in the negotiations. "The last couple of days have been quiet and we are just waiting now."
He added that Project volunteer Ms Vivienne Long, and the Irish "parent" of 18-year-old Olga, Ms Loretto Browne, are remaining in Belarus for the moment.
