Ukrainian mum who saved granny after invasion will run in local elections for FG
A businesswoman who drove across Europe to rescue her elderly mother and grandmother when war broke out in Ukraine will run in the local elections as a candidate for Fine Gael.
Ukrainian mother-of-three Luba Healy made international headlines when she dashed across Europe to bring her grandmother Galina–who has since died– and 72-year-old mother Nina back to the safety of her home in Trim, Co Meath.
Since then, Ms Healy has made a number of mercy dash es to Ukraine in convoys with humanitarian aid.
Galina died recently at the age of 101, and Ms Healy drove her remains back to her hometown to be buried beside her husband.
“When I brought her to Ireland, I promised her I would bring her back home – now she is happy beside her beloved husband,” she said.
Ms Healy, who is also avet, works with her husband Eugene in the stationery manufacturing business.
She was recently ratified by Fine Gael as a candidate in the local elections in June.
Since arriving in Ireland 24 years ago, Ms Healy had a number of jobs in the hospitality industry, including cleaning and bar work, in an effort to improve her English.
In recent months, the Department of Housing and Local Government confirmed that thousands of Ukrainian nationals in Ireland under the temporary protection scheme will be entitled to vote in the local elections.
Ms Healy is one of the first Ukrainian nationals to be ratified as a candidate in the elections, but it is widely expected more will be added to election tickets nationwide.
She said she wanted to run for election to give back to a community and country that had supported her so much over the last two decades.
“I came here 24 years ago as a little girl with big dreams, but Ireland made me who I am now,” she said.
“I was meant to only stay a while and move to England, but I fell in love with the country and the people and didn’t want to leave, so I worked hard in every job I could get to learn better English and better myself.
“It’s the people who have nothing that will give their last fiver to help someone else, and I’d love now to help them.
“Even growing up, I stood up for those who were bullied or put down or marginalised and I hate to see injustice.
“If I get elected, I will bring these same ethics into the council chamber. Trim is a beautiful town and area. However, there are some basic needs that people deserve to have, and these will be top of my agenda.
“When the war in Ukraine started, people were so good, they went over and beyond to help in any way they could. This is hopefully my chance to say ‘thank you’ to the Irish people for giving me this life in this wonderful country.”