Expel Russian Ambassador for 'barbaric war' demands Offaly councillor

A call on the Government to expel the Russian Ambassador and his staff from Ireland immediately has been made this week by Independent Offaly councillor, Sean O' Brien.

"We cannot stand idly by and pretend that the Russian Government is not slaughtering  thousands of innocent Ukrainian citizens day by day, destroying their homes, towns, cities and livelihood,” thundered Cllr O'Brien.

He added: “Their bombing and shelling has targetted homes, creches, schools, hospitals, ambulances and blocks of apartments. They have killed families in their cars as they try to get out. This is nothing but barbaric behaviour and a serious crime against humanity."

"The Russian Ambassador is quick to condemn protests at the Russian Embassy and the truck that crashed into the gates of the Embassy, demanding protection and quoting the Geneva Convention And yet he condones and supports the genocide on a large scale that is being visited on the Ukrainian people by his Government.”

Added Cllr O'Brien: “ With 1.7 million Ukrainian residents displaced and forced to flee and likely to be followed by millions more this is the worst act of naked aggression  in Europe since World War 2.”

“It looks like Russia will not stop until the whole country is destroyed,” he predicted.

The Tullamore based politician said the stories reported by innocent families are heart rending.

He continued: “Meanwhile the Russian Embassy here is allowed to go about its business as if nothing is happening and expecting our security  forces to protect them while they continue to spy. It is time to act decisively."