Plan to house Ukrainian refugees at former Longford convent abandoned over 'safety concerns'

The plan to house 85 Ukrainian refugees at a former convent building in county Longford from the second week in May 2024 has been abandoned following an arson attack at the property on Tuesday night. 

The news came during a meeting of Longford County Council where acting director with Longford County Council’s Humanitarian Response Team, Michael Nevin, revealed to members that the property owner wasn't proceeding with the plans as he had concerns for the safety of himself, his family, his company and his employees. 

It also emerged on Wednesday evening that efforts were made to burn the building, located on the main street of Lanesboro, Co Longford, at six different locations and accelerants were used.

Deputy Joe Flaherty commented, "Arson is reckless and endangers lives. It is deeply alarming to learn that efforts were made to burn the building at six different locations and accelerants were used.

"I grew up in Lanesboro and am as passionate about the community as the next man, however, burning buildings is not reflective of the local community."

Local Independent councillor Mark Casey hit out on Wednesday at those responsible for the fire and at the Government for their lack of consultation with the community. 

Cllr Casey said, "The fire put people in jeopardy. There are people who live beside that building, there are businesses beside that building, it is an absolute disgrace what is going on. I’d be very surprised if it was anyone local who had anything to do with this. It is not a thing you would see normally in Lanesboro. It is not the mindset of the people of Lanesboro.”

Just hours prior to the fire, Cllr Casey, along with other local elected representatives, attended a meeting with the developer and Longford County Council executives to be briefed on the plans for the property.

He said it was the first time they heard officially about the plans for the former convent building.

“We were informed that this is a done deal and that the contract has been signed with the Department of Integration to house 85 Ukrainian refugees in the old convent from the second week in May. It was the first time we heard anything about it which I think is a disgrace. Being able to change the use of a building like that without any sort of planning or consultation with local people is disgraceful in my view.

“We are a welcoming community, we are a tourist town but the way this has happened is a disgrace from the Government. We are saying that we haven’t been given the proper infrastructure. We need to be consulted and we need to bring the community along with this.”