100 PEOPLE LEAVE MITCHELSTOWN ON THE SAME DAY
As it emerges that over 50,000 people are expected to leave Ireland in search of work over the next two years according to forecasts by the ERSI, one unconfirmed report indicates that up to 100 people emigrated from Mitchelstown and surrounding area on one particular day last week.
In Mitchelstown, as in many towns and villages nationwide, there has been a steady traffic of young unemployed people leaving in search of a new life overseas. There were also reports that 12 people emigrated from the Ballylanders area on the same day recently.
The latest figures released from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) put the number of people out of work in the Fermoy/Mitchelstown area at over 3,500, an increase of 750 from the same period in 2010. Always a barometer for the health of a town, the local GAA club has reported a drop in the number of players turning up for training and other events last year.
“There is a serious lack of work in the area and many young people who are very well educated have no choice but to emigrate,” Mitchelstown GAA PRO John Courtney told The Avondhu.
A visibly upset Mitchelstown father, who did not want to be identified, said goodbye to his youngest son last week as he headed off to London in search of work.
“I have two daughters and now a son all forced out of the country because there is just no work for them here. They all went to college and got their degrees, it’s like we have educated them so that they can go and put it all to use for the benefit of another country.
"I remember the 1980s but, somehow, this feels a lot worse. We made a complete mess of the last 10 years, we got the politicians we voted for and they are still at it, putting themselves before the country. I think they can’t see the problems they caused because it doesn’t affect them and now my wife and I are left here alone with our family spread across the globe.”
Cllr Noel McCarthy of Labour is concerned that the situation is going to get worse before it gets better.
“The biggest problem facing any new government, no matter who the Taoiseach is, will be to provide jobs for the young people of this country. We are pushing people to take boats and planes looking for work.
"These are highly educated people who have bright futures but not, however, in this country and the way things are going not for a long time to come. The amount of people leaving will also have a negative effect on the make up of the country. We are educating our young people for export and that has to stop,” Cllr McCarthy said.
Published:
Thursday 27th January 5:44pm
