Mother and her children among dozens in Cork facing threat of homelessness

The woman, who came to Ireland eight years ago seeking asylum when political violence forced her to flee her home in Nigeria, told
she was “very scared” at the prospect of her children being homeless.Sandra (not her real name), who came to Ireland eight years ago seeking asylum when political violence forced her to flee her home in Nigeria, told
she was “very scared” at the prospect of her children being homeless.When Sandra and her three oldest children arrived in Ireland, they stayed in one of the county’s larger direct provision centres, before being moved a year later to a centre in a Cork town, where Sandra’s youngest child was born and the family has lived since.
Sandra’s children are all in school in the town, and are fully integrated into the community. One of the children has a significant medical condition which requires surgery.
Sandra was granted international protection status three years ago, meaning she has been granted leave to stay in Ireland.
In recent months, thousands of people living in direct provision who have been granted international protection status have received letters telling them they need to be gone from their accommodation by July 5.