Mullingar 4 All plan further social events with refugees
Despite what Mullingar 4 All and CATU Midlands say was a negative response to their initial publicity for an event at Columb Barracks to mark Refugee Week, the event went ahead successfully.
Refugee Week is June 17-23 and there are events across the country, including the Mullingar one. Mullingar 4 All, who were set up after the far right activity outside the barracks, and CATU Midlands, who stand up for the housing rights of asylum seekers and refugees, together hosted a solidarity event for refugees on Saturday June 22.
The event took place in the Ukrainian Block in Columb Barracks with the help of Obi Ojimadu from the Ukrainian Community Mullingar.
Ahead of the event, a poster for the event was placed on the online Mullingar Noticeboard inviting members of the public to come, communicate with the residents and donate snacks and refreshments for the day.
The post attracted more than 170 comments, but only a minority were positive, said Christine O’Mahony, chairperson of Mullingar 4 All. Similarly, a post on Mullingar News and Views attracted more negative comments and angry reactions. Posters put up across the town were removed, she said. “This was obviously upsetting for all the volunteers.”
Despite all the negativity, the event still took place. Many locals dropped by to chat to the residents and donated pastries, biscuits and cakes for everyone to eat. Some followers on social media also donated money towards the cost of the event. More than 100 people attended, and a larger room would have been useful.
Niamh Bonner, volunteer from Mullingar 4 All and founder of the Mullingar and surrounds knitters/crocheters group, said: “Before the event, a post was shared on social media inviting locals to join us. The comments had to be closed after 170 comments by mostly disgruntled people blaming our new neighbours for the local problems caused by successive governments.
“Thankfully a lot of locals restored our faith by just turning up and sharing the space. It was a fantastically heartwarming afternoon and over 100 people joined us throughout the day – the first of many, I hope.”
Christine O’Mahony added: “I’ve been planning an integration event for a while and I thought Refugee Week was the ideal time to host one with the Mullingar 4 All group. The event was wholesome and went very well. People came up to me to thank me and it shows just a simple act of having coffee, chats and providing entertainment for the kids, means so much to people.
“I set up this group because we had a loud minority trying to intimidate our new neighbours – I wanted to show our guests that they are welcome.
“Those complaining on social media could always organise their own events for the ‘local Irish’ they claim to care about, the same way I took action when I felt there were few groups supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Mullingar.
“We plan to organise more events like this with the residents, and are working towards a big pot luck event akin to the pot lucks organised by RAMSI and MASI. We would like to thank all the locals who donated and came out to support the event, everyone was so appreciative of these acts of kindness.”
If anyone would like to volunteer at any future integration events with the people living at the barracks in Mullingar, email mullingar4all@gmail.com.