‘BEYOND TIME’ 

Russia’s statement on Irishman killed in Ukraine branded ‘chilling’ as Minister calls for Ambassador Filatov out

• Grainne Niaodha

• Published: 18:04, 29 Apr 2023
• Updated: 18:04, 29 Apr 2023

RUSSIA’S statement on an Irishman killed fighting in Ukraine has been branded “chilling”.

Its embassy here warned of possible “ensuing consequences”.

Brave Finbar Cafferkey, in his 40s, from Achill Island in Co Mayo, died fighting the Russian invaders.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin praised Mr Cafferkey and hailed him as “obviously a young man of clear principles”.

But the Russian embassy responded: “We do not know who Finbar Cafferkey was, except that for whatever reason he was fighting in a foreign land.

“We do not know what his principles were. What we do know, though, is that in a very big way, it is the Irish Government and media to who bear responsibility for the death of Finbar Cafferkey.”

 

Firing back today, former Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan described the statement as “threatening, intimidating and chilling”.

The Fine Gael TD, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, rapped: “These hostile remarks are unacceptable.”

And he declared it was “beyond time” the ambassador Yury Filatov and “his crew were asked to leave our country”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs insisted that Ireland’s support for Ukraine is “unwavering” and “Russian disinformation” will not impact on that.

The department maintained that “the Government’s position in respect of Russia’s brutal and illegal aggression against Ukraine is crystal clear”.

In a statement today, it said: “Ukraine has a right to defend this attack on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.”

Tragic Finbar is reported to have been killed while serving as a military volunteer in the eastern part of Ukraine.