Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

UNICEF nurse Nadine Houjairi removes the winter coat from a Syrian baby before giving the measles vaccine at the UN refugee agency's registration center in Zahleh, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Maya Alleruzzo/AP/Press Association Images

Ireland will take in 90 Syrian refugees this year

The 90 includes four medical cases whose needs can only be met outside their current settlements.

IRELAND WILL ACCEPT 90 Syrian refugees this year, the government has told the United Nation’s refugee agency.

Most will be resettled from host countries in the Middle East and North African region. According to the Department of Justice, they could possibly come from over-populated camps in Lebanon and Jordan.

“This number will include provision for up to four medical cases whose medical needs can only be met through resettlement,” a statement to TheJournal.ie revealed. ”The UNHCR has begun the process of identifying medical cases for consideration by the Irish authorities.”

During 2013, 35 Syrian refugees came to Ireland from Syrian UNHCR refugee camps.

That number included one medical case, in which a family of four of Iraqi/Palestinian origin arrived in July. They have been resettled in Cork.

Eight Afghan refugee families and two single Afghan men arrived in Ireland on 7 November 2013 from Damascus, Syria. The entire group of 31 people is currently living in a reception centre while participating in a language and orientation programme.

The 31 Afghan refugees was admitted under an EU funded Preparatory Action for Emergency Resettlement.

Separately, there were 38 applications for asylum from those claiming to be from Syria in 2013. So far this year, there have been five such applications from Syrians.

In 2012, fewer than 10 Syrians had applied for refugee status in Ireland.

Earlier this week, the UK agreed to take up to 500 refugees after a battle with the UNHCR for not signing on to its ‘quota’ programme.

The deal between the government and the UN will see Britain take in some of the most vulnerable and traumatised victims, including women, children and sexual assault survivors.

A number of agencies and charities have been critical of the international community’s lack of response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria and its surrounding countries.

Currently, there are  2,386,087 Syrian refugees, with millions more displaced internally. The UNHCR has called on more countries to establish refugee resettlement programmes.

Germany has offered more than 10,000 places to Syrian refugees, the most of any country.

image

‘Only the chief of the battalion knew I was a girl’: Meet Ola, the Syrian rebel

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
95 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ruair
    Favourite Ruair
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 7:35 AM

    A drop in the ocean but an important one no less. We must never lose sight of our shared humanity.

    153
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:02 AM

    Here we go again.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Common Chimpanzee
    Favourite Common Chimpanzee
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:38 AM

    Enola’s on the blob it seems

    30
    See 12 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute al shamen
    Favourite al shamen
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:34 AM

    This sounds harsh but why the hell should we get involved in this mess,when so many other countries in the region have done so much to encourage the slaugter in Syria?Qatar and Saudi Arabia are the principle funders of the head chopping,human liver eating Jihadists causing much of the mayhem. They are among the wealthiest countries on Earth and share cultural ,linguistic and religious ties with these people(while we share none,few of these refugees will be Christian) yet they have taken virtually no refugees.
    And as usual there will be no chance of these peolpe returning home when this war finally does end.

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen O M
    Favourite Aideen O M
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:51 AM

    Why? Because it is the right thing to do. By giving these suffering people a safe haven we are improving their lives no end. Money in this country has been wasted on a lot of trivial things, this on the other hand is well worth it.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Filimín Uí Briain
    Favourite Filimín Uí Briain
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:52 AM

    Why should they return?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emma Dobbyn
    Favourite Emma Dobbyn
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:14 AM

    So because it’s not our fault we should leave them to rot in a filthy refugee camp somewhere?
    Shame on our country for helping non Christians!
    I actually think 90 is too few, as was mentioned millions of euro has been wasted in this county. Giving these people a second chance at life is money well spent if you ask me.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Cantwell
    Favourite Mike Cantwell
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:29 AM

    Of course they will not return . With all the advantages of living in our little country why would they ?, except to go fight using our Passport as cover , return here to star on Tubridy ? . We should help people if we can , I would have thought 630 Million to mostly corrupt regimes , over 1Billion to our Charity industry on top of what we give as individuals is good when we look at our situation . If Syrians come here I would want them to leave their burkas behind , if they are not willing to become more Irish than the Irish themselves , I would prefer if they went somewhere else , we have our own ghettoes and I do not want more populated by foreigners , Ask the Swedes in Malmo how multiculturalism is working ?

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:46 AM

    “The right thing to do” my hole. Right – let’s open the floodgates. Then create support agencies to ensure that we integrate with them – not the other way round. Oh, wait…………

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:48 AM

    Well said Mike. Exactly what most ordinary Irish people think. Not like the bunch of liberal, tree-hugging hippies actually proposing this rubbish.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute al shamen
    Favourite al shamen
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 11:45 AM

    So i expect all you people in favour of this to be offering these people shelter in your own homes?Oh yeah thats right you expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab and the Irish working class are the ones who will have these people dumped on their doorstep.Because make no make no mistake there is no way these people will end up in middle class areas.’Diversity’ is always inflicted on the working class,and when they naturally have objections to a mass influx of foreign and alien cultures into their neighbourhoods they are painted as bigots and racists by Trinity College dinner party socialists.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute al shamen
    Favourite al shamen
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 12:04 PM

    And of course those Trinity college dinner party socialists by and large tend to come from white,mono-cultural neighbourhoods.Importing people who follow a religion where the penalty for people who renounce their faith is death and is deemed by most Westerners to be extreme,fanatical and heavily mysogynistic(it makes Catholicism look like a bastion of Feminism in comparison) can only lead to problems some years down the line.One only has to take a look at place like Bradford,Brussels,Tower Hamlets,Stockholm and Paris to see what issues we can look forward to in the future.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emma Dobbyn
    Favourite Emma Dobbyn
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 12:21 PM

    In my own home? No.
    In my own neighbourhood? Absolutely yes.
    Have a quick look through google images of Syrian refugee camps. You’d rather let young kids live a life like that than give some of them a chance in this country? I’d much rather my tax dollars went on those people than on irish people who have made social services a lifestyle choice.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute al shamen
    Favourite al shamen
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 1:16 PM

    I would rather let Middle Eastern and Islamic countries deal with problems largely of there own making instead of letting Europeans pick up the slack as usually happens.Rather than spending billions on a world cup and funding Jihadists sent from the bowels of hell,Qatar could spend billions housing and settling these people.We should stay out of this mess in every way.Europe already had its sectarian,religious wars centuries ago,now the Middle East is having there’s.These refugees should be settled in Islamic countries that suit their culture and way of life.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Cantwell
    Favourite Mike Cantwell
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 1:35 PM

    On the button Al , Emma you might want to check with your neighbours , they may not agree with your plans for their neighbourhood , ask Oleg in Malmo how he is getting on with the ” new Swedes “

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aus Tereo
    Favourite Aus Tereo
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 7:47 AM

    I notice the US is nowhere to be seen on that list. Land of opportunity indeed.

    148
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:01 AM

    I was wondering how long it would take the anti-US lobby to row in…..

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:47 AM

    @Aus Tereo – the list is incomplete. The USA has already accepted a small number of Syrian refugees and the Obama administration has committed to accepting several thousand more. There are over two million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan and over six million internally displaced people within Syrian. So far the USA has donated USD 1.7 billion in aid to assist Syrian refugees inside and outside Syria. The UK is the second largest donor having committed GBP 600 million. The immediate need is to aid the refugees in Syria and in neighbouring countries to survive through the winter and so they can return to their home areas in Syria if and when there is peace. The UNHCR is only appealing for countries to take the worst affected refugees – basically people who have suffered rape, assault, wounds or severe trauma of some kind. These people will require a lot of medical and in some cases psychiatric care after they arrive in their host country. Ireland’s pledge to take 90 is generous given Ireland’s current economic circumstances and the crises affecting the CRC and Rehab. China and Italy are notable for their absence from the list of countries willing to take Syrian refugees.

    55
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute King Olaf
    Favourite King Olaf
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:50 AM

    I can’t seem to find new zealand, south africa, iceland, poland, bulgaria or romania either. Bloody racist countries!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland
    Favourite Neal Ireland
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:35 AM

    Yeah because the US never does anything for anybody, unless you count spending billions policing just about every country in the world that has had a war in the last 50 years, and sacrificing the lives of hundreds of twenty year old soldiers every year.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:44 AM

    Neal, I’m sure many in the world would appreciate it if the US ‘sacrificed’ a few less young soldiers, for dubious gain.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:50 AM

    Well said Neal. Facts conveniently overlooked by the pro-Palestinian/pro-Syrian “rebels” anti-US clowns.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SpliffDude
    Favourite SpliffDude
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 11:43 PM

    Yeah like America does it solely to help people. America police countries it has invaded. America help fund other governments and terrorist organisation for their own benefit. America always have an ulterior motive.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:10 AM

    Good luck ‘orienting’ the Afghans to irish culture, it’s peculiar how refugees from these regions usually end up reviling western countries that offer them asylum / citizenship.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:30 AM

    What is the extent of your knowledge of Afghan history and culture? Have you ever even met an Afghan?

    What is your qualification to make such a generalisation? I’m guessing stupidity.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zozimus
    Favourite zozimus
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:31 AM

    Sorry but that’s just not true in my experience. I’ve Afghani neighbours who were settled from a refugee camp ten years ago. They are well educated hardworking people. Every one of them worked as soon as they were old enough. They are beautiful, sophisticated, educated, funny, respectable people who enjoy their lives here. (except for the weather)

    83
    See 20 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:37 AM

    Guess stupidity away, you left-wing moron, the recent riots in Sweden and regular carnage in France is evidence enough.

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:46 AM

    Nice assumption there, that I’m left wing. I get it though, it a cheap and easy shot to take, if your argument has no substance.

    The riots in Sweden were pretty mild, in actuality. And if you think France experiences ‘regular carnage’, you’ve a messed up sense of perspective.
    Regardless, your generalisation of Afghans makes little sense. Is it just Afghans you have a problem with, or are Arabs or all Muslims a problem in your fatalistic version of Europe?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zozimus
    Favourite zozimus
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:58 AM

    Kinda looks like you’re prejudiced , possibly anti Muslim? I personally think Islam is a dangerous religion, but people are generally decent. Most problems stem from poverty and ghettoisation.

    Try to be nice in comments.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:05 AM

    A hypocrite as well to boot, a ‘cheap shot’ indeed – you’re the one who’s tagging people’s being stupid for disagreeing with you. Keep cheerleading WF, you’ll get the respect you deserve – also as your big on providing useful link I’d recommend you review the definition of ‘useful idiot’ I’ll helpfully provide link: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Useful_idiot

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:13 AM

    I call ‘em as I see ‘em. Broad generalisations of the people of Afghanistan (an ethnically and culturally diverse land) are stupid.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:17 AM

    Zozimus, if that comment was directed at me – I mentioned nothing about religion, in fact the only anti Muslim rhetoric I see above is in your post! I do think though that middle easterns in general have difficult integrating into western culture. I don’t give a toss about any religion in general as long as its not creating a negative impact on ones environment.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:21 AM

    It’s a good thing that Afghanistan isn’t in the Middle East then, eh Buckweat?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:23 AM

    At least you didn’t deny being a moron.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eliot Rosewater
    Favourite Eliot Rosewater
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:27 AM

    @Buckwheat: Middle Eastern religions? Like Islam, Judaism, and Christianity?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:29 AM

    Your point being?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:30 AM

    Eliot where I have stated anything about what religions are indigenous to where?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Dunne
    Favourite Andrew Dunne
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:34 AM

    You’re mixing up extremism with whats actually a very peaceful religion. every religion has an extremeist minority. Please educate yourself on these issues instead of stereotyping.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:35 AM

    @ White Fung – your statement ‘the riots in Sweden were pretty mild’ does indeed sum up your perspective – I’m sure you would mind a ‘mild riot’ on your doorstep.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:42 AM

    If a riot has to happen on my doorstep, I would at least hope for damage to be minimal and for no one to die or be seriously injured. Sweden did okay, as far as riots go.

    To reiterate, that you believe that France experiences ‘regular carnage’ says lots about your sense of perspective.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Avina Laaf
    Favourite Avina Laaf
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:43 AM

    I thought this story was about Syrian refugees, not Afghans?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:54 AM

    White fang – when you see Afghan women dressed as beekeepers there really isn’t a whole lot more to say.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:56 AM

    “Ethnically and culturally diverse”. And as far removed from a modern free Western civilisation as you can get. And you call other stupid? You moron.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:57 AM

    Ah, the “religion of peace”. And people are still din enough to be taken in by this.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:59 AM

    Enola, your comments discredit you themselves. Requires no response, really.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 11:47 AM

    Why did you respond then?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Wakefield
    Favourite Chris Wakefield
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:43 AM

    If we had a civil war here would a middle eastern government take any Christian refugees in? Dont think so. They would rather burn us at a stake. I would take any of them from syria or Afghanistan. Did we cause the mess? No.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:48 AM

    Most of the ‘contributors’ on the journal would happily give European residency to half the Middle East thinking that would solve everyone problems.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:49 AM

    No Christians are burned at the stake, anywhere in the ME.

    27
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:52 AM

    http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24864587

    For all those who genuinely believe that there is wide spread targeting of Christians in the ME.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute King Olaf
    Favourite King Olaf
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:53 AM

    Ok white fanf…if you want to be pedantic…read burned at the stake as blown up, shot or attacked.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:54 AM

    Did the little girl who has lost both her parents and now has no food or shelter cause this mess? No.

    Ffs, we’re all human. Irish/Syrian, Muslim/Christian, black/white, these are all just things we’ve made up over time to divide ourselves. There’s certainly nothing ‘Christian’ about your attitude towards the world’s most needy.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:55 AM

    Read the article I posted about, Olaf.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:59 AM

    White Fang, it forever amazes me that thee are individuals like you who Cheerlead for such regressive ideologies where subjugation of women and ‘infidels’ is common place and the likes of Fgm, honour killings, decapitations, suicide bombings, acid attacks etc is not uncommon.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:02 AM

    @White Fang – Christians are being persecuted and killed in many Middle East countries including Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt. Syria has a large and ancient Christian minority going back to the time of Jesus Christ and Saint Paul. It is highly probable that some of the Syrian refugees coming to Ireland will be Christians. I expect that the Irish Muslim community and the Christian Churches will be willing to play their part in welcoming and assisting Syrian refugees.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:05 AM

    What ad hominem nonsense. You really couldn’t do any better?

    Actually, my views are pretty ideologically antithetical to that of Islam. It’s your lazy and uninformed generalisations of groups of people that I disagree with.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zozimus
    Favourite zozimus
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:05 AM

    Actually you’ll find that the Irish are popular enough. And most places would take in people who will contribute to society and work hard while respecting local culture.

    Reflect on how lucky we are that we would have a lot of choices of places to go if we had a war.

    Incidentally – what sides were you thinking of for our civil war? Civil against uncivil?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:08 AM

    David, I don’t doubt that there are cases of Christians being targeted for their faith, especially in volatile countries like Syria. These events are mostly isolated though, and are not widespread, despite what certain media outlets would have you believe. Look at the actual statistics, not those massaged by groups with an agenda.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:56 AM

    @White Fang – I suggest you conduct some research into this subject. Christians have been persecuted since the time of Jesus Christ himself and are today still the most persecuted religious group in the world.According to the Roman Catholic Church over 100,000 Christians are killed annually for reasons connected with their faith. According to the World Evangelical Alliance of Protestant Churches, as many as 200 million Christians are denied their human rights because of their faith. This persecution occurs predominantly in Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Sudan but also occurs in Communist countries such as China, North Korea and Cuba. However the persecution of Christians in Muslim countries is no justification for persecution of Muslims in countries which historically, like Ireland, have been regarded as Christian. Jesus Christ said “Love thy neighbour as thyself”.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:05 AM

    You clearly didn’t read the article that I posted, David. It dissects that figure you just quoted. It has no credibility.

    One million Christians died as martyrs between 2000 and 2010.
    Divide by 10, and you get the annual 100,000 figure.
    However, 900,000 of these one million deaths occurred during the civil war in DRC. Strange, that.
    In actuality, around 7-8,000 Christians die for their faith a year. Not as impressive as 100k, admittedly.

    Feel free the keep swallowing the spin and claim that Christians are the most persecuted people in the world. It doesn’t make it true.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:08 AM

    I mean seven to eight thousand, not seventy eight thousand, to be clear.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:48 AM

    @White Fang- I have now read the article from the BBC website that you posted and I agree with you that it totally discredits the claim made by the Roman Catholic Church that 100,000 Christians die each year for reasons connected with their faith. The Vatican failed to point out that the average of 100, 000 a year included 1 million people killed over a ten year period in the DR Congo who may have been Christian but who were killed for simply being Christian. I should have known better than to have used any figure used by the Vatican! I apologise.

    Over the centuries more Christians have been killed by other Christians than by Muslims. And in many cases the Vatican and governments or forces supported by thd Vatican have been responsible for this.

    Nevertheless, the killing and persecutions of Christians remains a significant issue. But in Syria, it is mainly Muslims who are killing Muslims.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:58 AM

    Or beheaded.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute kopper96
    Favourite kopper96
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:06 AM

    We can’t look after our own.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Chenowith
    Favourite Billy Chenowith
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:14 AM

    Read the news. You should be ashamed of yourself.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute White Fang
    Favourite White Fang
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:27 AM

    Our ‘own’ are pretty well looked after, relative to a lot of places out there.

    52
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland
    Favourite Neal Ireland
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:37 AM

    Charity doesn’t begin at home. It begins with whoever is the worse off.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matthias Baumann
    Favourite Matthias Baumann
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:31 AM

    @Kopper96

    Says who? You? Any evidence to back it up?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:53 AM

    Evidence? After what’s gone on in this country? With elderly patients stranded on hospital trollies? An entire generation emigrating? Young families without food because of a country raped to pay a gambling debt? And you want fcuking evidence?!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matthias Baumann
    Favourite Matthias Baumann
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 2:30 PM

    @Enola

    Whose fault is it? The Health system was not any better during the “Tiger Years”, young people have always emigrated to the US or Oz and nobody is starving in Ireland.
    Fact is if the country would not been run by complete morons for the last 30-40 years, who were more interested in filling their own pockets and helping out their cronies and families, there would have been no need for Austerity and Bail Out! This country has been destroyed by its own people or have there ever been non-Irish nationals in the government? And who voted these people in? Hardly refugees or immigrants with no vote! If you really can’t looking after your own there is no one else to blame but yourselves , certainly not the 90 refugees from Syria!
    How about doing something against the people that ruined the country….oh no that would be inconvenient , it’s so much easier to whinge and cry on the Journal instead of getting the lazy arse off the sofa….

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horgay H
    Favourite Horgay H
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:14 AM

    There was a fantastic free health care system in Syria until the UK, US and a few more instigated a proxy invasion of the country. Now the health care system is a fraction of its former self.
    We know as a former French Foreign Minister said on TV that the UK was cooking something up for Syria and now the UK wants to wash it hands of its dirty work.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marc
    Favourite Marc
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:43 AM

    Stop talking crap horgay

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Culligan
    Favourite Jason Culligan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 12:05 PM

    Because we all know the Syrian healthcare system was the envy of the Developed world.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernard Gallagher
    Favourite Bernard Gallagher
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:27 AM

    Is this money coming out of the 600 million we are borrowing for aid every year or more tens of millions to borrow

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Wakefield
    Favourite Chris Wakefield
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:03 AM

    Any race of people who shout god is great when firing rpgs or ak47s or when they’re about to cut some poor persons head of are not welcome here. Theyre savages.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Sweeney
    Favourite Richard Sweeney
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:21 AM

    and drone strikes are what? the civilised way to kill?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:37 AM

    @Chris Wakefield – these people are refugees, victims of the fanatics and the people with the guns. They will be selected and screened by the UNHCR and no doubt also by the Irish Government. In my time I have met many refugees from places such as El Salvador,Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nigeria, Uganda, Somalia, Afghanistan and Burma. My wife, who is from El Salvador, teaches English to Afghan and Somali women refugees on a voluntary basis every Wednesday. The present Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, was himself a refugee who fled from Idj Amin’s Uganda. The Ugandan Asians who came as refugees to the UK are now amongst the most successful and positive members of the UK’ s multiracial, multifaith and multicoloured society.

    Let us also remember the thousands, indeed millions, of Irish people who had to flee Ireland since the Flight of the Earls and who were effectively refugees in foreign lands. There is a Calle O’Donnell in Madrid. The O’Neills are respected in Lisbon. A MacMahon became a Marshal and President of
    France. And how about the Irish in North, South and Central America, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand ?

    One day an Irishman or woman born in Syria or of Syrian descent could like Paul McGrath or Simon Zebo be playing for Ireland.

    18
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute significantrisk
    Favourite significantrisk
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:48 AM

    Chris, you’re not welcome here. Get off our island.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 11:00 AM

    Well said Chris. There would be no need for drone strikes if these clowns came into the 21st century and acted in a civilised fashion.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute al shamen
    Favourite al shamen
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 12:13 PM

    Give it a rest David Giles.A bunch of Irish Aristocrats being offered sanctuary by European aristocrats hundreds of years ago is hardly a valid comparison and you know it.And The O’neills are respected in Lisbon?By who?I guarantee the average man or woman on the street in Lisbon would not have a clue who the O’Neills are.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RP McMurphy
    Favourite RP McMurphy
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 7:54 AM

    Where can u find out where the people are being re-settled to in Ireland? I’d like to help them settle in after their nightmare in their home country.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:05 AM

    You could bring then for a a few pints and buy them a box set of Mrs Browns Boys

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
    Favourite Larry L'Oiseau
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:43 AM

    You could invite them to stay in your house McMurphy.

    I’m sure your neighbours would love you.

    35
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Redline
    Favourite Ben Redline
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:58 AM

    They need a big hug and a cup of Tea

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James O Donoghue
    Favourite James O Donoghue
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 9:14 AM

    Nice gesture but I feel we can take hundreds more. Fair play to Germany

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 11:25 AM

    It’s only 90 people, hardly a drain on Ireland’s resources.
    Where has everyone’s humanitarianism gone ?.
    Is it not good to help those in need ? I think it is.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute duckduckduck
    Favourite duckduckduck
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 7:44 AM

    Nice

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ThomasFrancisMeagher
    Favourite ThomasFrancisMeagher
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:44 AM

    Hopefully these people will find some peace when they arrive here & will be given the opportunity to integrate into Irish society. We must do all we can to avoid the mistakes other countries made which created ghettos & separated ethnic & religious minorities from local society.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 10:55 AM

    Thomas, that is correct. We Irish, of all people, should know that welcome and integration rather than hostility and segregation is the answer.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enola Straight
    Favourite Enola Straight
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 11:00 AM

    Not a chance TFM. More emphasis – as usual – will be placed on THEM instead of the people taking them in.

    6
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
    Favourite Larry L'Oiseau
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 3:37 PM

    Wake up boys, your uptopia of milk and honey does not exist.
    Ireland needs to tighten it borders and restrict immigration.
    Look at Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the US as some examples of where and why this integration nonsense just doesn’t work.

    I am happy to accept the syrians in here on the basis of the Geneva Convention on refugees….
    And that means they are repatriated immediately upon cessation of hostilities in their own countries.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Newnewman
    Favourite Tom Newnewman
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 7:50 AM

    Street politics that turns violent really destroys

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 8:55 AM

    @Tom Newnewman – we Irish certainly know how street protests can lead to violence. But the situation in Syria is many, many more times worse than anything ever experienced in Ireland.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Murray
    Favourite Sean Murray
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 4:08 PM

    Makes me happy, let in more! Those people are in hell at the moment if it were you you’d want out!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alpha_chaarlie
    Favourite alpha_chaarlie
    Report
    Feb 1st 2014, 4:17 PM

    As far as Syrian refugees goes, it’s merely a drop in the ocean.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds