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The Journal
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Sinn Féin MEP calls on EU commissioner to withdraw 'deeply inaccurate' remarks about Ireland
SINN FÉIN MEP Kathleen Funchion has called on the EU's foreign commissioner to her withdraw remarks on Ireland's neutrality. During a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday on the upcoming Nato summit next week, Funchion criticised the EU's inaction on dealing with Israel's military operations in the Gaza, Iran and other parts of the Middle East. The Ireland South MEP later noted the sovereign right of each member state to choose its own foreign policies and if they participate in military alliances such as Nato. She said that the EU hopes it recognises Ireland's right to maintain its historical neutral stance. 'We in Ireland have a proud history and tradition of UN peacekeeping, and long may that continue,' Funchion said, adding that it was 'important to reference the creeping militarisation into EU politics'. 'This debate has been a combination of maddening and depressing for the past two hours, listening to the vast majority of speakers. I would also remind people that, at its core, the EU is supposed to be a peace project, and we should not move away from this' Other members also voiced concern over the fulfilment of international law obligations in the conflict during the debate and called for a renewed effort to achieve peace in the Middle East and in Ukraine. 'Peace does not mark end of suffering' During her closing remarks, the European Commission Vice President and foreign affairs Commissioner Kaja Kallas said that peace can only be achieved in Ukraine when the aggressor, Russia, is willing to negotiate. She addressed Funchion's remarks and claimed that Ireland had the chance for 'prosperity' in the years following the World War II, while the rest of Europe experienced 'atrocities'. She said, in that context, that a negotiated peace through surrender would not benefit countries under siege by others. Advertisement 'I want to address our Irish colleagues,' Kallas said. 'Peace doesn't mean the human suffering will stop. If you surrender, you [still] have the aggressor. [If] you say, 'Take all that you want', it doesn't mean that human suffering will stop. 'In our experience behind the Iron Curtain [the border between the Soviet Union and Europe during the Cold War] after World War II, countries like Ireland got to build up their prosperity, but for us, it meant atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of our culture and language. 'This is what happens, it is peace – but not freedom. It's not freedom of choice for people. And that is what the EU is all about and that's what we're fighting for.' 'Ill-advised remarks should be withdrawn' The remarks have been criticised as 'deeply inaccurate' by MEP Funchion, who said the vice-president was dismissive of the post-war experience of people on the island of Ireland. Funchion said Kallas' comments were 'ill-advised and deeply insensitive to the experiences of Irish communities still seeking justice to this day'. She added: 'Ireland too endured atrocities, from the Ballymurphy massacre to Bloody Sunday, where innocent civilians were shot and killed by British soldiers. Our people suffered internment without trial, and widespread discrimination in housing and employment, particularly in the North. 'Furthermore, the suppression of Irish language and culture has been an ongoing battle, as evidenced by the decades-long campaign for an Irish Language Act in the North. She added: 'I have written to the vice-president asking her to withdraw her remarks and to acknowledge the reality of Ireland's past.' Kallas' office has been contacted for comment. Includes reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Sinn Féin criticised for 'heartless' opposition to extending temporary protection for Ukrainians
SINN FÉIN HAS been heavily criticised for its opposition to extending temporary protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine, with a Ukrainian charity arguing its position is 'heartless and inhumane'. Last week, the party's migration spokesperson Matt Carthy said the government's decision to support a planned extension to the temporary protection directive until March 2027 was a 'mistake'. The Cavan Monaghan TD said it is 'now time to treat those fleeing war in Ukraine the same as all others fleeing war and persecution'. He argued that a person who benefits from temporary protection should be supported to return to Ukraine, if they are from a part of the country that is 'found to be safe' and that there should be a return to 'ordinary, permanent immigration rules which apply to all other states'. Responding to Sinn Féin's stance, one of the founders of Ukrainian Action, a charity in Ireland, said it was a 'very irresponsible' and 'heartless' position held by the main opposition party. Anatoliy Prymakov said that while it is true that some parts of Ukraine have been targeted more by Russia than others, it is a 'very irresponsible and heartless thing to say that parts of Ukraine are safe'. 'Russians have been known to target residential districts, maternity wards, children's hospitals and even funerals to exert maximum damage on the civilian population as part of their terror campaign of bombardment of Ukraine. 'Because of that, there is simply no guarantee that Russians will not target a specific city in Ukraine tomorrow, simply to murder civilians, as they have been doing since 2014,' Prymakov said. He added: 'It is disappointing and troubling that an elected TD, with a key position in his party, would take such a heartless and inhumane position. Advertisement 'Such statements hurt Ukrainians and are not productive, nor do they help with problems faced by Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection and Irish communities supporting those Ukrainians.' Sinn Féin's position was also criticised by Green Party leader and former Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman who said moving thousands of Ukrainians living in Ireland into the international protection process would be 'completely unworkable'. He said it would 'entirely swamp a system that is already struggling'. 'There is still a full-scale war taking place in Ukraine, so it is appropriate that we extend the temporary protection directive to provide support for Ukrainians here in Ireland and across Europe,' he added. Extension of current system The Temporary Protection Directive, a legal framework for hosting people displaced by war in Ukraine, was extended last year until March 2026. Earlier this month, the EU proposed extending the right for four million Ukrainians to stay in the bloc until 2027. The European Commission has urged EU governments to look at longer-term solutions, such as residency, work and student permits and visas. Governments in the EU have also been encouraged to set up programmes to promote voluntary return programmes to Ukraine. To offer a more stable and lasting perspective beyond temporary protection, the Commission has also proposed a set of measures to prepare a coordinated transition out of temporary protection. It is expected that integration into host countries and facilitating a smooth return to Ukraine will be promoted, with information hubs to be set up to provide guidance on integration and return options. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Gerry Adams awarded €100,000 in damages after suing BBC for libel
FORMER SINN FÉIN leader Gerry Adams has been awarded €100,000 in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC at the High Court in Dublin. Mr Adams said that a BBC Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour on Friday, after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and that it had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Adams said from his perspective, the case was about 'putting manners' on the BBC. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave 'the final say'. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Speaking in Irish after the verdict, Mr Adams thanked his wife Collette and his family for standing by him throughout the trial. Advertisement He said he was mindful that Denis Donaldson's family had to 'watch all of this'. Mr Adams called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to meet with Donaldson's family 'as quickly as possible'. 'There's an onus on both governments and everyone else, and I include myself in this, to try and deal with these legacy issues as best we can.' The Journal / YouTube 'The highest public interest' Adam Smyth, Director of the BBC in Northern Ireland, said the court accepted that the Spotlight broadcast and publication 'were of the highest public interest'. 'We didn't want to come to court, but it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision,' he said. He said the implications of this case will be 'profound'. 'If the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it's hard to see how anyone's could.' Jennifer O'Leary, a reporter who worked on the Spotlight broadcast, said she had 'nothing to hide, only sources to protect'. She thanked witnesses who took the stand during the trial, including Ann Travers, whose sister Mary was murdered by the IRA in 1984. O'Leary said she was thinking of the victims and survivors of the Troubles, who 'carry the burden of their grief and trauma with incredible dignity and courage'.
