Mr Cafferkey, a veteran of the Shell to Sea marketing campaign, from Achill Island in Co Mayo, who had fought towards Isis in Syria, died combating towards Russian forces close to the jap Ukrainian metropolis of Bakhmut, which has witnessed among the heaviest combating within the Ukraine conflict in current months.
In a press release final evening, the Russian embassy to Eire mentioned the Irish Authorities and media bore accountability for his loss of life.
It mentioned that if remarks made by Tánaiste Micheál Martin meant the Authorities supported Irish individuals combating in Ukraine “then Eire can be the direct participant of the battle with all the following penalties”.
“We’ve got famous that on April 28 [the] Tánaiste has expressed his sympathies to the household of Finbar Cafferkey following experiences of his loss of life combating presumably with the Ukrainian navy towards Russian armed forces. Mr. Martin referred to as him ‘clearly a younger man of clear rules,’” the assertion learn.
“Each lack of life is unhappy and regretful. We have no idea who Finbar Cafferkey was, besides that for no matter purpose he was combating in a overseas land. We have no idea what his rules had been. What we do know, although, is that in a really huge manner it’s the Irish Authorities and media to who bear accountability for the loss of life of Finbar Cafferkey. It has been the Authorities and media who’ve been selling anti-Russian propaganda, distorting the reality concerning the battle in Ukraine, deceptive individuals like Finbar Cafferkey. Now they face the outcomes of their very own efforts.”
The embassy continued: “We additionally have no idea if Mr. Martin’s remarks signify assist for the Irish to participate in fight in Ukraine, however we do know that if that’s the case, then Eire can be the direct participant of the battle with all the following penalties.”
In response, former justice minister Charlie Flanagan referred to as for the Russian ambassador to Eire, Yuriy Filatov, to be expelled.
“Threatening, intimidating & chilling assertion by Russian embassy Dublin. These hostile remarks are unacceptable. Past time Ambassador Filatov & his crew had been requested to depart our nation,” the Laois-Offaly High quality Gael TD and chair of the Oireachtas Committee on International Affairs and Defence wrote on Twitter.
Earlier on Friday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin expressed his sympathies to the household of Mr Cafferkey.
Mr Martin mentioned: “My deepest sympathies to the Cafferkey household on the unhappy passing of Finbar.
“He clearly was a younger man of clear rules.
“Our ideas and our prayers are with the household at present.
“I feel the household have requested for privateness, I am not going to remark any additional on it at this explicit time. I am going to permit the household house to grieve what’s a really, very unhappy loss for them.”
Mr Cafferkey, who was in his 40s, had earlier fight expertise within the Syrian battle and had been lively within the Shell to Sea marketing campaign towards the Corrib gasoline pipeline in his native Mayo.
He had travelled to Syria to volunteer with the YPG of their struggle towards Isis in Rojava.
He has been described in on-line tributes as a “revered activist”.
An announcement on the Shell to Sea group’s web site mentioned: “We’re all heartbroken to listen to of the loss of life of our courageous good friend Finbar, who was guided by the rules of freedom and equality for all.
“Heartfelt sympathies to all his household and mates. Relaxation in peace.”
He had participated in rallies with the group.
Mr Cafferkey’s activism on environmental points, homelessness and migration has additionally been praised in tributes.
