WATCH: Parents in Limerick protest over housing of up to 251 refugees at former school
Around 60 men, women and children were in attendance outside the former Salesian School near Limerick city centre
A PROTEST is taking place in Limerick city this Sunday afternoon over a plan to house Ukrainians in a former school.
Up to 251 refugees are set to share 19 of the classrooms at the former secondary school. A number of parents with children at the neighbouring Salesian Primary School, which has 420 students, have pledged to do “everything we can” to halt this.
A number of placards read: "I am a concerned parent from Poland. I am not right wing. Leo, what about our kids safety?" and "Leo and co, does our safety not matter?" and "We are not far right. We are just concerned".
Marc O'Donovan, one of the parents who spoke to reporters, said they want "clarity".
"If it was 251 of my own friends going in there I wouldn't be happy about it. The complete disregard for the children's safety is astonishing," said Mr O'Donovan.
It is not known how long the protest is set to last, however, a canopy has been erected.
Doras, which promotes and protects the rights of refugees and migrants in Ireland, said in a post on social media: "Protests at an accommodation centre are unnecessary and achieve nothing except bringing distress and fear to everyone. Stay safe. Stay away."