A FineGael TD has called for the Russian Ambassador to Ireland to be booted out - and for Ukrainian refugees to be housed in his embassy.
Outspoken TD Neale Richmond, who is Fine Gael’s European Affairs spokesperson, said in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest incendiary comments, his Ambassador - Yuri Filatov, should be expelled from this country.
“The Russian Ambassador continues to work here as a tool of the brutal Putin regime, launching verbal attacks on our own Government and spreading tragic disinformation about this war.
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“He and his entire staff should be expelled.
“Perhaps the Embassy could be seized and used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees fleeing his country’s continuing attacks on Ukraine,” he told this paper.
Speaking on Wednesday morning Russian President Vladimir Putin caused international outrage when he once again threatened the use of nuclear weapons - and then announced the subscription of his people to fight in the Ukraine war.
“The West has engaged in nuclear blackmail against us. If its territorial integrity is threatened, Russia will use all the means at its disposal to protect our people. This is not a bluff,” Putin said.
And speaking to this paper, Mr Richmond said Putin’s comments are a major escalation in the unfolding Ukraine crisis.
“These comments are a significant escalation in Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine.
“A ‘partial mobilisation’ in Russia will prolong this tragic, illegal conflict & increase deaths, including of Russian conscripts and many more Ukrainian citizens.
“Sham referendums planned in occupied parts of Ukraine will never be recognised by the global community.
“Russia is a rogue state acting in a barbaric fashion.
“The fact their Embassy based on my own constituency remains open is extremely disappointing,” he added.
A request for comment from the Russian Ambassador to Ireland went unanswered yesterday. (WED).
Meanwhile Taoiseach Michael Martin also condemned Putin’s remarks yesterday.
Speaking at the annual Ploughing Championships, Mr Martin said he was “very, very concerned” and stated that Putin’s speech was “a grave speech in terms of the import of what he is saying.
“It’s an attempt to annex territory from the Ukraine, and coerce people in Ukraine,” he said.
“And the veiled threat of nuclear deployment is a very serious one.
“And I think the west and European Union has to be very resilient, in support of Ukraine, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people, and their right to a future, as a country,” he said.
Mr Martin went on to say that his government supports Ukraine in its application to join the European Union.
He then called out Mr Putin directly to stop the war.
“I would call on President Putin and Russia to stop this war, declare a ceasefire.
“There was a needless killing of young people on all sides – needless killing of young people.
“And now more young people are going to be mobilised in Russia – for what?
For a 19th century imperialist objective, which simply cannot and will not be realised,” he said.
“And so, it’s a worrying decision of President Putin, and speech, and we have to be true to the principles that inform us as… and I’ll be going to United Nations later in this week, also to again articulate Ireland’s position in terms of the rule of law, more generally.
“Russia needs to realise that there is no alternative to a global rules-based approach to diplomacy and to state-to-state relationships.
“That’s been the cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy since the foundation of the state, and will remain so,” he added.
The Taoiseach’s comments come as a website explaining the damage nuclear weapons cause reveals how a strike would impact Ireland.
The website NUKEMAP was created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian of nuclear weapons, in a bid to “help people visualize nuclear weapons and get a sense of the scale of the bombs.”
The map allows you to choose from a wide range of nuclear weapons already produced, tested or used.
Using the Topol (SS-25) - which is currently in Russia’s arsenal as an example - the 800 kilo ton weapon can deliver a payload of 1,000 kg to a range of 11,000 km.
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Dublin city centre, it could kill an estimated 337,700 people and injure a further 482,250, according to the NUKEMAP.
People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including some living in neighbouring counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The people most impacted would be those living within 0.88 km of the blast,
who would be in the ‘fireball radius’.
The map explains anything inside the fireball is effectively vaporized.
Those living within 6.53km of the bomb would see ‘moderate damage’.
Areas included here include Dundrum, the Phoenix Park and Ballymun.
This is described as: “Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire.”
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - like Blanchardstown, Dublin Airport and Tallaght - would be in the ‘thermal radiation radius’. This would see:
“Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation.”
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see ‘light damage’. This includes the likes of Lucan and Malahide, as well as parts of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The map explains: “At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities.”
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