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Business partners renovate property for refugees

Co Armagh businessman Kieran Maguire has converted a property into living accommodation for 20 refugees in Lurgan town centre. Picture by Mal McCann
Co Armagh businessman Kieran Maguire has converted a property into living accommodation for 20 refugees in Lurgan town centre. Picture by Mal McCann Co Armagh businessman Kieran Maguire has converted a property into living accommodation for 20 refugees in Lurgan town centre. Picture by Mal McCann

TWO generous business partners have gone the extra mile by renovating a property with room for 20 refugees in Co Armagh, as the north gets set to welcome the new arrivals in the run-up to Christmas.

Speaking to The Irish News on Wednesday, Lurgan businessman Kieran Maguire said he and his business partner had been working on the property in their spare time for "any charity that wanted it" when news of the refugee crisis hit the headlines.

He has now asked the Department for Social Development to add the property, in the town's Main Street, to a list for those being re-settled in the north, including 100 Syrians expected to arrive next month.

The property has undergone almost three years of work and a ‘five figure’ investment, while Mr Maguire’s business partner, a tradesman, has used his skills to upgrade the rooms free of charge.

The 10 en-suite rooms come equipped with TVs and internet access and there is a communal kitchen area and living room.

Mr Maguire said he was confident that the rooms would be available "this side of Christmas".

Around six staff are expected to be employed as cleaners and security guards for the building, although Mr Maguire stresses that security guards had already been sought before the decision to house refugees was made.

He said: "People in Lurgan have been very sympathetic with the plight of the refugees. We had planned to put security staff in anyway. I can't see it (any trouble). The police station is close by and they will be able to see things happening."

Catherine Seeley, the Sinn Féin deputy mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council, is assisting with the project and said they were now seeking volunteers to assist with a range of matters including legal queries and English teaching.

She said: "We are looking to get DSD to cover costs for the first year and I am working with them to do a shout out for volunteers."