Councillors condemn Ukraine invasion
Councillors called for the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador.
A minute’s silence was held at Cavan County Council’s monthly meeting today as Councillors condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
There were cross party calls for the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador to Ireland, with Councillors urging the Irish Government to take action.
Fine Gael’s Madeleine Argue described the invasion as an “unprovoked, unjust attack on a smaller neighbour after they assured the world they would not invade”.
She accused Russia of committing war crimes and praised the response of the Irish people in donating and offering to house refugees.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Aiden Fitzpatrick said the attack had “ripped to shreds the heart” of Ukraine, with over three million people believed to have fled.
“I wondered about Hitler and the Jewish people and I always ask ‘why did it take so long to stop him’”, he told the meeting.
He urged the Government to “send a message” Russian President Vladamir Putin citing the large difference in the number of diplomats based at the country’s embassy in Dublin compared with the Irish embassy in Moscow.
He claimed Russia has 30 staff working here versus four in the Irish Embassy in Moscow.
“The Ambassador has constantly lied”, he said, citing comments following the bombing of a maternity hospital in recent days, which Ambassador Yuri Filatov said was a hoax.
He said Mr Filatov should be expelled from Ireland, saying “there’s no longer a Cead Míle Fáilte here for you”.
However, Cllr TP O’Reilly (FG) urged caution in expelling the Ambassador as it would effectively cut relations between the two countries.
He said he was in no way condoning events but said “we need to keep the embassy open because we need to secure our own people [living in Russia]”.
Independent Councillor Shane P O’Reilly urged the Council and people of Cavan to support Russian people living in the community.
“We need to put out the hand of friendship to Russians in our county who are disgusted. It’s very important to stand with those of a Russian background because they are very upset.”
Councillors held a minute’s silence at the end of the meeting in memory of those who have lost their lives in the conflict.