Taoiseach Micheal Martin has called a mock-up clip showing Russia wiping out Ireland with a nuclear weapon “sinister” and said the Russian State TV should apologise.
The clips were broadcast by the State-owned television channel, Russia-1 and introduced by Dmitry Kiselyov, a close associate of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In the clip, Mr Kiselyov speaks of an attack on the “British Isles” as footage plays of the islands of Ireland and Britain being wiped off the map by a nuclear weapon.
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Another clip shows Mr Kiselyov discussing Russia using a nuclear underwater drone, an experimental Russian weapon, to “plunge the British Isles into the depths of the sea.”
Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday, the Taoiseach said whoever “instigated” the clip should apologise.
He told the Irish Mirror: “It’s very sinister, intimidatory type tactics by the Russian Federation but I don’t think anyone’s going to be intimidated by it and I think it reflects a mindset that is worrying and not in touch with reality.
“I think there should be an apology forthcoming in relation to that but the more fundamental point I would think is that Russia should cease hostilities in Ukraine.
“The degree of bombardment and destruction of towns and cities and human carnage that has taken place is absolutely without any justification.
“It’s an immoral war that should end and human corridors should be provided consistently in terms of those trapped in Mariupol and other locations.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney tweeted: "There’s been a lot of understandable comment in relation to this trash video on Russian State TV.
"Let’s not allow ourselves be distracted from the real atrocities being committed by Russian Forces in #Ukraine by disinformation like this. #StandWithUkraine"
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the mock-up clip is “disturbing” and “a disgrace.”
He indicated the Russian ambassador in Dublin, Yury Filatov, will be hauled in over it.
He said: “It is disturbing, it’s on State television in Russia with the presenter who is said to be close to the (Russian) Government.
“In what world could that be seen as appropriate?
“I’m what world could that be seen in any way, something you would share and show.
“It’s a disgrace and I’m looking forward to hearing what Simon Coveney has to say in terms of what we say about it.”
Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Billy Kelleher said the Government should summon Russia’s ambassador to the State, Yury Filatov, to inform him about “our absolute disgust about the [Russian] broadcast”.
When asked if Irish officials will be speaking to the Russian ambassador in Dublin about the TV clip, Minister Ryan added: “I’m looking forward to seeing what the Minister of Foreign Affairs has to say and I imagine so.”
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath said the clip shows the nature of what we’re dealing with regarding Russia.
He said: “Of course it was disturbing to see a whole country and indeed our neighbours wiped out in assimilation of that nature and broadcast on national TV is shocking and deeply disturbing.
“It will be for Minister Coveney and the Department of Foreign Affairs to consider what is the most appropriate diplomatic response.
“Again I think it just underlines the nature of what we’re dealing with and the threat that Russia is currently posing as perpetrated in the war in Ukraine and to see that in such a flippant manner, the number of people whose lives would be wiped out in an instant is shocking.”
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