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The Journal
12 hours 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'.
