Department to evict 123 Ukrainian refugees from Millstreet at end of August
'I would rather sleep on the streets with my dog than live in a house without him.'
These were the words of Ludmila Koren from the Green Glens Arena as she faces being separated from her best friend who was known for saving lives in his own country.
The dog Tosha's acute hearing offered warnings to Ludmila's family after the air raid sirens in her locality were damaged.
Now, the Ukrainian woman, who is one of 123 residents facing eviction from the temporary accommodation facility in Millstreet, Cork is uncertain about what the future holds for them both.
It is understood that Green Glens Arena owner Thomas Duggan was not involved with the decision and wants the residents to stay. Ludmila held her little dog tight while speaking about the eviction letter issued in recent days which states that residents will be moved to new accommodation on August 29.
A number of people are still reeling after learning they will have to leave their pets behind.
Fiona Corcoran of The Greater Chernobyl Cause with some of the 123 Ukrainian war refugees. She said: 'These residents are not just passive recipients of aid. They are working, attending school, and actively striving to rebuild their lives.' Picture: Larry Cummins
Fiona Corcoran from the Greater Chernobyl Cause, a Cork charity supporting displaced Ukrainians, described the news as deeply distressing.
'It is unacceptable that Ukrainian residents are being removed from their temporary homes with little notice, vague information about their relocation, and the devastating restriction that they cannot take their beloved pets with them,' she said.
'I have seen first-hand the deep gratitude these individuals have for Ireland and specifically for the community of Millstreet, which welcomed them with open arms. These residents are not just passive recipients of aid. They are working, attending school, and actively striving to rebuild their lives.
"Many of them are seeking housing in the local area, but this is made increasingly difficult by the severe shortage of rental accommodations.'
She said the impact of such a decision on lives will be detrimental.
'Children have arrived and begun their education in Irish schools, with some now transitioning into secondary school. For these children and their families, who have already faced unimaginable trauma, being uprooted again is an additional and unnecessary burden.'
Adrianna Kholostenko and her son Serafym who is going into sixth class at the loacl national school in September. 'Children have arrived and begun their education in Irish schools, with some now transitioning into secondary school. For these children and their families, who have already faced unimaginable trauma, being uprooted again is an additional and unnecessary burden.' Picture: Larry Cummins
A total of eight families at the centre are believed to have pets including dogs, cats and one guinea pig. Issued by the Department of Justice, the letters states: 'We can no longer provide accommodation for pets. If you own a pet you will have to make alternative arrangements for it.'
Ludmila has vowed to fight the decision to the bitter end. Speaking about her dog's bravery she said: 'They couldn't warn us about the rockets or missiles. The first time it happened Tosha started nudging us with his head in the direction of the basement.
Ludmila Koren with her dog Tosha whose acute hearing offered warnings to her family after the air raid sirens in her locality were damaged. Picture: Larry Cummins
"He heard the missiles when they were further away because a dog's hearing is better. There were 10 people in the house including friends and family.
"The first time Tosha did this we didn't know what was wrong with him. Then we realised he was acting this way because of the missiles. We gathered in the basements, hiding without water or electricity, simply because it was the only option.'
Ludmila, who hails from Chernigov, added that escaping unrest in Ukraine back in April 2022 was an extremely harrowing experience for Tosha.
'A bus journey that should have taken two hours took eight. We had to stop so many times because of the explosions. You could see all the animal owners clinging dearly to their pets. Tosha was so close to my chest.
"We travelled to the Polish border and took a boat from France. He was so stressed from the experience that his fur starting falling out.
Some of the 123 Ukrainian war refugees who are to be moved in August and have been told they cannot bring their pets with them. Picture: Larry Cummins
"On the boat from France he was shaking from head to toe. A vet on board was able to give him a pill because it was the only thing that calmed him down.'
Ludmila, who has an adult son named Alex, said she refuses to be separated from her pet.
'He came to me two months before the war and I really feel this was meant to be. I first heard about him online because nobody else at the shelter wanted him.
Natalia Husieva and her niece Yana with their pet guinea pig. Picture: Larry Cummins
"I knitted him clothes before he came to me even though I didn't know his size. They fit him perfectly. When he arrived in my house for the first time he went straight to his water bowl. It was like he had been with me forever.
"I fell in love with him the first day I saw. He is like another child to me and I refuse to be without him. We are looking for alternative accommodation but I would rather sleep on the streets with my dog than live in a house without him.'
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He appeared in court earlier this month, with the band's scheduled appearance at Glastonbury put in doubt and calls from the Prime Minister for them to be booted off. Kneecap dropped out of this year's TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow amid the controversy. In a statement on social media, Kneecap said: "'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT. To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry... it is out of our hands." While Sharon Osbourne has made her opinion on Kneecap crystal clear, several celebrities, particularly within the Irish and UK music scenes, have publicly voiced their support for the Belfast-based rap group. This support often comes in the form of open letters, social media posts, and statements expressing solidarity with the group amidst controversies surrounding their politically charged performances. 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Mr Lambert questioned the relevance of Ms Osbourne's comments. "Why aren't we talking about the opinion of Omar Bartov, an Israeli-American genocide expert, who concludes that Israel are committing genocide? "Why should we care what Sharon Osbourne thinks? I certainly don't," he said. Mr Lambert praised Kneecap's efforts to highlight the war in Palestine. "To the band's massive credit, there's three young working-class people here who have built a career for themselves, on the basis of the Irish language, music, culture and identity. "They have the bravery and conviction, especially where they've come from in a post-conflict society, to stand up for what's right," he said. Mr Lambert said the band should be praised for making a stand "despite the fact it may harm their careers, and their income". "It's an extremely strong position for young people to take, especially young people from a working-class background," he added. 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Hundreds more are still gathered outside the court entrance waiting for him to leave the building. Irish language rap group Kneecap have defended their provocative performances as 'satirical' ahead of performing at Glastonbury this weekend. The band were criticised following footage of a November 2023 gig allegedly showing a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Mo Chara, along with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap), and JJ O Dochartaigh (DJ Provai), said the ensuing controversies are a distraction from what is happening to Palestinians. They said they are happy to lose income and clout in order to be 'on the right side of history', and said they hoped that 'being vocal and being unafraid' would encourage other bands to speak up on Palestine. In an interview with The Guardian newspaper ahead of Glastonbury, O hAnnaidh defended their performances as 'satirical'. 'It's a joke. I'm a character. S**t is thrown on stage all the time. If I'm supposed to know every f****** thing that's thrown on stage I'd be in Mensa,' he said. 'I don't know every proscribed organisation – I've got enough shit to worry about up there. I'm thinking about my next lyric, my next joke, the next drop of a beat.' Asked about the 'dead Tory' comments, he said it was 'a joke' and 'we're playing characters'. 'It's satirical, it's a f****** joke. And that's not the point,' he said. 'The point is, that (video) wasn't an issue until we said 'Free Palestine' at Coachella. That stuff happened 18 months ago, and nobody batted an eyelid. Everybody agreed it was a f****** joke, even people that may have been in the room that didn't agree – it's a laugh, we're all having a bit of craic. 'The point is, and the context is, it all (resurfaced) because of Coachella. That's what we should be questioning, not whether I regret things.' Ó hAnnaidh added: 'If you believe that what a satirical band who play characters on stage do is more outrageous than the murdering of innocent Palestinians, then you need to give your head a f****** wobble.' Ex-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has admitted that he thought Keir Starmer was pulling "some sort of gag" when he said Kneecap's upcoming Glastonbury performance is "inappropriate". Over the weekend, the UK Prime Minister said it was "not appropriate" for the Belfast trio to cash in at the festival, which takes place from this Wednesday until Sunday. His comments came in the wake of rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh being accused of displaying a flag in support of banned terror group Hezbollah at a gig. O hAnnaidh, 27, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, was bailed until later in the summer - leaving him free to play at Glastonbury. Asked by The Sun on Sunday if he thinks Kneecap should play, Mr Starmer said: "No I don't. I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate." Reacting to Mr Starmer's comments, former Taoiseach Mr Varadkar said he thought the PM was pulling "some sort of gag". He said on social media: "No longer hold office nor have any mandate so my views don't count for so much anymore. I get that. "But I really thought this was some sort of gag. It's the role of artists to be avant guarde, inappropriate, challenging, disruptive - from James Joyce to Sex Pistols and Playboy." Mr Varadkar warned that politicians should not try to "censor" artists. "Politicians really should not try to censor this. If an offence was committed, let the courts decide. In the mean time, the rule of law says the accused is innocent until proven guilty." The BBC has said Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury will be aired if it meets the station's 'editorial guidelines'. Doubt has been cast over whether or not the Belfast rap group's performance will air on television when they take to the West Holts stage on Saturday at 4pm. As Glastonbury 2025 is now in full swing, a spokesperson for the BBC said the station will offer more than 90 hours of performances with live streams of Glastonbury's five main stages – but wouldn't clarify if it will air Kneecap's performance. In a statement, the BBC said: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. "Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines." 'Decisions about our output will be made in the lead up to the festival,' it said when asked whether Kneecap's set would be broadcast live or as part of the BBC's catch-up services. Kier Starmer also commented on the situation. When questioned about whether he thinks the band should perform at the festival, he responded: "No, I don't. I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate." However, their set was later defended by organiser he group are still set to perform. Talking to the BBC as the festival flung open its doors to thousands of revellers today, Emily Eavis was asked: "You are very used to people picking over every aspect of the lineup but the Prime Minister got involved this time, saying it wasn't appropriate for Kneecap to be playing, how have you responded to that?"
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2 hours ago
- The Journal
BBC: Kneecap's Glastonbury set will not be live streamed but could go on-demand
KNEECAP'S PERFORMANCE AT Glastonbury Festival will not be live-streamed but is likely to be made available on-demand, the BBC has said. A number of politicians have called for the Irish rap trio to be removed from the line-up and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said their performance would not be 'appropriate' after one of the members was charged with a terror offence. A BBC spokesperson said: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC is bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. 'While the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines. 'We don't always live-stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap's performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets.' It is understood the BBC needs to consider the performance before making a final decision. The band said on Instagram: 'The propaganda wing of the regime has just contacted us…. 'They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the iPlayer later this evening for your viewing pleasure.' Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a gig in November last year. On 18 June the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise Ó Caireallain and JJ Ó Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on 20 August. Advertisement Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The UK's Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thinks the BBC 'should not be showing' the group's set. In an X post from last Saturday, she said: 'The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. 'One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. 'As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.' Ahead of the group's set, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson told the PA news agency: 'Ticket-holders can once again expect to see uniformed officers on site at Glastonbury Festival 24/7 throughout the festival as part of our extensive policing operation ensuring it is safe for everyone attending, as well as those who live nearby.' Neil Young, best known for songs such as Rockin' In The Free World, Like A Hurricane and Cinnamon Girl, will headline the festival's Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with his band the Chrome Hearts. The corporation will broadcast Young's set after previously saying it would not be shown 'at the artist's request'. On Saturday a BBC spokesperson said: 'We are delighted to confirm that Neil Young's headline set from Glastonbury on Saturday will be broadcast live to audiences across the UK on the BBC.' The set will be shown on the BBC iPlayer Pyramid Stage stream from 10pm, as well as broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Radio 2. Another act expected to draw a big crowd is Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage around the same time Young and Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii will also perform. The 1975 headlined the festival's Pyramid Stage on Friday night, with the performance seeing singer Matty Healy joke he was his generation's 'best songwriter'. Friday also saw a performance from Scottish music star Lewis Capaldi who told the Glastonbury crowds 'I'm back baby' as he played a surprise set, two years after a performance at the festival during which he struggled to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms. Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests. The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
