Gazan Family Faces Eviction from Dublin to Kilkenny, Threatening Medical Care for Sons

A Gazan family brought to Ireland under a medical evacuation program faces eviction from their Dublin accommodation and relocation to rural Kilkenny, despite the complex medical needs of their two sons, Amir Wali (22) and his 15-year-old brother.

Both brothers suffer from severe hereditary haemophilia. Amir, who also has a complex knee injury from an Israeli strike, requires ongoing specialist treatment at St James’s Hospital and the National Coagulation Centre in Dublin. His mother, Fatima, argues that relocation would make his treatment unworkable, and the National Coagulation Centre has advised against public transport for his appointments.

The Wali family, along with five others, received notice in late May to vacate their Caritas residential centre accommodation by June 26. The Irish Red Cross (IRC) offered them a three-bedroom apartment in rural Kilkenny, over 25 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop. The IRC will cover rent for a maximum of 12 months but clarified that the family would not have tenancy rights. Refusal of the offer could lead to homelessness and notification to Tusla, the child and family agency.

Amir has secured a place to study computer science at University College Dublin (UCD), and his 12-year-old sister has a school place in Dublin from September. Daily travel from Kilkenny, potentially taking up to three hours by public transport for Amir's appointments, is deemed unrealistic given his condition and reliance on his parents as carers. The Department of Health stated its priority is safe accommodation and uninterrupted healthcare, but an extensive search for longer-term Dublin accommodation yielded no results. The IRC will provide shuttle bus transport for the first month of relocation.