Portaferry couple trapped in war-torn Ukraine capital

Portaferry couple trapped in war-torn Ukraine capital

28 February 2024

A PORTAFERRY couple, who had a baby through surrogacy in Ukraine, could be home next week.

Mary and Peter McDonnell have been in the war-torn country since their son, Jaunty Beau, was born on January 31.

The couple have not been able to leave Ukraine as Jaunty Beau had not been issued with a British passport.

However, it has been confirmed that a passport has been issued and should be with the McDonnells in the next few days, which means they should be able to fly home shortly afterwards and be reunited with their 15 year-old son, Max, on the family farm.

Since Jaunty Beau’s birth, the family have experienced something of what it is like in a war zone, having to take shelter when the air raid sirens go off around the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Mary and Peter started their surrogacy journey before the war broke out two years ago.

The couple suffered a tragedy when their 16 year-old daughter, Ellie, died suddenly in 2020.

Ellie had been involved in a farm accident the year before and it was thought that she had recovered, but she died in her sleep following an epileptic fit.

Mary and Peter flew to Ukraine in August 2021 for medical appointments and embryos creation.

When Russia invaded the country, the surrogacy clinic evacuated the embryos but last year the couple were contacted to say the process could restart.

The embryos were successfully planted in the surrogate and the couple travelled to Kyiv in late January ahead of the baby being born.

They had to update their wills and sign guardianship forms for their son in case they did not return from Ukraine.

Mrs McDonnell described the situation as “terrifying”.

“The air raid alarm goes off at night and you have four minutes to get to the shelter and you just have to lift the baby and run and that’s what we do,” she told the BBC.

“It’s a very scary place, the people are very good to us and in the bomb shelter they gave us a couch to sit on with the baby.

“We’re very frightened and every day you say please let us survive today, don’t let us get blown up, because we have a boy at home, we want to survive.”

After the couple spoke of their difficulties in obtaining a passport for Jaunty Beau, efforts were made on their behalf to expedite the process.

It has been confirmed that a passport will be on its way to Kyiv soon.

Mrs McDonnell said: “The government departments worked together and conducted Peter’s identity checks immediately and as a result of this the passport office in Belfast have now received all they need to make up and send his passport to Kyiv in Ukraine for him to travel home.

“We are overwhelmed with the support from all the community at home and around the United Kingdom. We just wanted to get him home to our family in Portaferry who haven’t had the chance to meet him yet and Max can get a nurse and cuddle at his baby brother.”

Among those offering help was Baroness Margaret Ritchie, who made representations to the Home Office.

Baroness Ritchie, who is a friend of the family, confirmed that the passport has been printed and is being to sent to Kyiv.

“It is is hoped that the passport will be collected this week,” she said. Hopefully, the family will be able to return home next week.

“I am delighted for the family and pleased that I was able to help in any way I could.”