Former Mayor of Derry and Strabane Councillor Brian Tierney
Councillor Tierney said that the war crimes committed against Ukrainian civilians in Kharkiv, Bucha and across the region demand a strong response from the International Community and rejected the decision by People Before Profit TDs to abandon the principle of international solidarity.
Said the former Mayor of Derry and Strabane: “Given all that has happened in Ukraine in the last few weeks and months it is hard to fathom how anyone could react with anything other than solidarity with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people who have shown such courage in the face of unwarranted Russian aggression.
“The decision by the leadership of People Before Profit to oppose sanctions in the face of evidence of war crimes in Bucha, Kharkiv and across the region is, frankly, a disgrace.
“It’s particularly appalling that at a time when ordinary Irish people on both sides of the border are doing everything they can to raise humanitarian aid and get help to those fleeing Russian aggression that People Before Profit have chosen to act towards the Ukrainian President in this way.
“People from right across this island, including my party colleague Paul Doherty, have travelled to Ukraine to help respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding.
“Instead of lecturing people being shot in their streets about the international order, People Before Profit would be better offering some help.
“This is the true face of a party that claims to want to help people on our island, but has delivered little.
“People Before Profit supported the Brexit that has caused huge political upheaval on our island without a thought for the impact it would have on local communities.
“In Derry, its representatives couldn’t even be bothered to turn up to protect families from a rates increase despite the current costs crisis.
“And now it seems they’re more interested in debating society politics, than the people suffering unimaginable hardships as a result of Putin’s monstrous crimes.”
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