Junior Minister Kieran O’Donnell reiterated Ireland’s commitment to neutrality in response to the Russian embassy’s statement blaming the Irish Government and media for the death of Irishman Finbar Cafferkey. Cafferkey was killed last week fighting Russian forces near Bakhmut, a Ukrainian city that has seen significant fighting in recent months. The embassy’s statement said that if the Irish Government was supporting Irish people fighting in Ukraine, “then Ireland would be the direct participant of the conflict”. Cafferkey had been a campaigner and had fought against ISIS in Syria before travelling to Ukraine. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs stated that diplomatic relations with Russia will be maintained, but Ireland is firmly behind Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty.
