Several Polish families who had settled in the Shannonside region have decided to re-start their lives in their native country due to the pandemic. The Covid pandemic has had a devastating effect on the immigrant community, with travel restrictions and the shutdown of large parts of the economy forcing many to consider leaving Ireland for good in order to be closer to their families. Last month the Midlands Polish Community Support Team donated hand sanitiser stations as well as anti- virus equipment to Longford County Council and the local gardaí. The community was also very involved in producing several thousand facemasks for distribution across various community groups last year at the beginning of the pandemic.
Barbara Stachowska has been speaking to Kevin Magillicuddy.