Former Longford hotel to house up to 59 Ukrainian refugees

The Department's Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team confirmed that a two year contract has been issued to house up to 59 Ukrainians at the former Hotel following refurbishment operations in place since January.

The use of the Park House Hotel in Edgeworthstown as a location for housing refugees seeking international asylum was last raised at the January meeting of Longford County Council.

On that occasion the Director of Service with responsibility for Enterprise and Ukrainian Humanitarian Response, Michael Nevin, said it was not a local authority project, but added that they “were aware there has been work taking place”.

The former Park House Hotel in Edgeworthstown has been closed for a number of years, however it was approved for demolition and redevelopment in 2022.

Also read: Longford Gardaí involved in swoop on suspected burglar gang

This week the Department of Integration confirmed it will be used to accommodate Ukrainian Refugees. It's anticipated that the new residents will be allocated within the next month.

Councillor Paul Ross says the announcement has been in the pipeline since January: “This is absolutely no surprise, It's been going on for the last nine months,” he told the Leader.

Cllr Ross says though the development has positive and negative aspects: “The majority of people in Edgeworthstown are welcoming of those who are fleeing war to come to the Park House Hotel.

Also read: Concern expressed over poor Longford air quality

“It was a derelict building that's now been done up. There are some concerns, such as the pressure on the health care system. The doctor of surgery in Edgeworthstown is at capacity and we need a new primary care centre.”

The Fine Gael elected representative said there are other social infrastructure considerations: “Since September the availability of school bus places has been a problem. I have the parents of a number of children looking for school bus places to go to Granard.

“If additional teenagers are in the Park House something needs to be done about bus spaces to Granard, something has to be worked out.”

Also read: Longford woman Róisín Reilly promoted to new marketing role at Bauer

Cllr Ross says the Department could have handled the flow of information to the public better: “There are pros and cons to this, but the way the locals have been included in the process is not ideal. The first official engagement we had was this week. There's been talk here for the last nine months, the rumour mill always gets ahead of itself. Before the local elections there were some protests, people voicing legitimate concerns brought up, but there was no engagement, there was no real communication up to this point.”

PICTURES | Big crowd in Lanesboro as renowned Longford historian launches new book

He says there may be opportunities arising from the establishment of the refugee centre: “We need a Family Resource Centre in Edgeworthstown. I know some businesses in the town are currently recruiting staff, so if these people are looking to work, it could be a benefit to the town.

“Ultimately the Park House was going to be knocked out a couple of years ago. Now it's back open again. It may well become a hotel down the road,” he concluded.