On Déise Today, Damien caught up with Olena, a Ukrainian national living in Waterford, who has now been reunited with some members of her family.

However, her mother remains behind in the war-torn country.

Olena's sister Olga has flown into Ireland via Poland, and the two siblings are now together in Ballygunner.

Olena, a previous guest on Déise Today, caught up with Damien again. Speaking of her sister arriving she said "the great news is she's safe, she's alive and she's made a very long, brave journey."

However, Olena said it's been heartbreaking for the family to separate from their mother; a poet and writer based in Eastern Ukraine, who was not in a position to travel for health reasons.

She explains how her sister Olga, both a psychologist and a dancer, had been giving support to other families who were crossing the border into Poland together.

Have a listen to Olena's emotional conversation with Damien, through the link in this podcast.

And for all Déise podcasts, click here.