‘There is no safe places in Ukraine’: Refugees arrive in Ireland

In the News: People fleeing Russian invasion land face a new reality

Refugees from Ukraine arrive at the train station in Przemysl, eastern Poland, near the Ukrainian-Polish border, to be relocated to other destinations, on March 9th, 2022. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images
Refugees from Ukraine arrive at the train station in Przemysl, eastern Poland, near the Ukrainian-Polish border, to be relocated to other destinations, on March 9th, 2022. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images

"There is no safe places in Ukraine, " says Elaine Ralovets, a recently arrived refugee from Ukraine.

She is one of more than 2,000 people who have fled the fighting following Russia's invasion and found their way to Ireland in recent days.

Like many of the others, Elaina travelled for days, often on foot through bitterly cold nights to make it to an EU country bordering Ukraine before boarding a Dublin-bound flight. She is now staying with her sister who lives in Dublin.

As the war continues many thousands more people are expected to travel from Ukraine to Ireland. Some will have friends and family here. Others will be completely alone.

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In the News talks to two of the recent arrivals as well as a Ukranian woman who has been living in Ireland for more than 20 years and suddenly found herself at the forefront of the relief effort in this country.

Meanwhile, Irish Times Political Correspondent Harry McGee outlines the Irish Government's response and examines how the next few months might play out as Europe grapples with the worst humanitarian crisis within its borders since the second World War.

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Conor Pope

Conor Pope

Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor