Ukrainian refugees will be housed in Croke Park for the next two weeks while the government tackles the accommodation crisis.

They will sleep in the GAA HQ's executive suites, which are usually used for corporate hospitality.

The Irish Sun reported that 140 Ukrainian refugees will stay in the stadium, with space for eating and leisure.

Full catering and 24-hour security will be provided.

The short-term arrangement is restricted by upcoming match fixtures.

Housing

The number of people Ireland is accommodating has increased tenfold in the last year, with the vast majority being Ukrainians fleeing the war.

In July of last year, the Department of Sport has asked sporting bodies to house Ukrainian refugees on a temporary basis.

The Aviva stadium was one venue used as temporary accommodation.

There were discussions about using a handball centre for accommodating refugees, but this is the first time the GAA’s main stadium will be used.

Ukrainian refugees in the Aviva. Photo: Donal McNamee/Business Post

Living in tents

Since Russia’s invasion of their nation, over 60,000 Ukrainians have moved to Ireland and the State has struggled to find appropriate accommodation for many of them.

Some have been housed in school buildings over the Christmas holiday, while others have been put up in tents.

Cathal Crowe TD says housing refugees in tents during the winter is “not appropriate”.

Currently, there are 88 people living in tents in Knockalisheen - which is part of Mr Crowe’s Clare constituency - and there are concerns about how well they will withstand the winter weather.

'No guarantees'

Late last year, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described the arrival of so many refugees in Ireland as an “enormous challenge” and said the State could not guarantee them housing.

“We do have to tell people the truth,” he said.

“We have to tell people who might come here from Ukraine or come here from other parts of the world seeking asylum that we have now reached the point where we can no longer guarantee accommodation for everyone who arrives here - and that’s the truth.

“It’s a sad truth but it is the truth.”

Main image shows a night time shot of Croke Park. Picture by: Brian MacLochlainn / Alamy