Thousands of Ukrainians and supporters march through Dublin – Irish Times

Thousands of Ukrainians and their supporters marched through Dublin city center on Saturday to commemorate the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The march, organized by the charity Ukraine Action in Ireland, began outside the GPO on O’Connell Street and ended with speeches and songs in Merrion Square, opposite Government House.

Polina Maliujonok, 23, a journalist and volunteer march organizer from Kyiv, said Saturday’s demonstration was partly a way to remind Irish people of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Told.

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“In fact, I realize that time has passed and people have gotten used to this war in Ukraine. I want people to remember that it’s in the country, in Europe in general,” she said as she walked towards Westland Row on Saturday afternoon.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began two years ago and, to date, February 24, 2022, is the largest attack on a European country since World War II. The war claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction in the Eastern European country.

Since the invasion, more than 100,000 Ukrainians have been resettled in communities across Ireland.

In a speech to protesters in Merrion Square, Ukraine’s ambassador to Ireland, Larisa Gerasco, called on “all democracies” to remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine.

“I want to remind you that the war is already happening in Europe, right behind you, right next to your door,” she said. “Dear democracies, we must stop Russian aggression and we must stop President Putin.”

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Gerasko also called on those in attendance to pressure the government to send more weapons to Ukraine. “The situation on the front lines, on the battlefield, is very difficult and very serious.

“We need more weapons, we need more weapons, we need more ammunition to protect ourselves and to protect you,” she said.

As the crowd marched towards Merrion Square, demonstrators chanted a variety of chants, including “Peace to Ukraine,” “Putin is a murderer,” “Thank you Ireland” and “Slava Ukraine.” One Garda source estimated that 5,000 people attended.

Many in the crowd had Ukrainian flags draped over their shoulders or wore traditional wreaths.

Inna Shevchenko, 37, who was parading along the quay hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old son, said she arrived in Ireland about three months after the Russian invasion in February 2022.

“At first I didn’t think the situation would last this long, so I stayed in Hungary near the border,” said Shevchenko, 37, from Kiev. “after that [after] It’s been 3 months since I came here. ”

Ms Shevchenko has settled in Castleknock, west Dublin, but much of her family is still in Ukraine and it is her wish to eventually return to her homeland. “Ireland is beautiful, but it’s my homeland and I love it,” she said.

“It’s sad. My parents are there, my brother is there…he could be killed at any moment, and they’re all in constant danger every night,” she said. “It’s hard to worry about them. I can’t help them.

Rob Mason, from Dunboyne, Co. Meath, was crossing the River Liffey at Customs Wharf with a march on Saturday afternoon. “Our son was killed in action in an international unit fighting for Ukraine,” he said.

Mr. Mason’s son, Rory Mason, 23, was killed on September 28, 2022, as a member of the Ukrainian army, during combat in the Kharkiv region.

David Dunn of Swords said he was marching in solidarity with the plight of Ukrainians. “The situation in Ukraine is really, really desperate. There’s no media attention at the moment, but the situation is worse now than it was two years ago,” he said as the march crossed the Liffey River. he said.

Mr Dunn, whose wife is Ukrainian, is chairman of the Fingal Ukraine Support Group. “When the war started, I went and brought 30 people home. 16, 17 people were staying in a three-bedroom house,” he said.

“The support from the Irish people has been overwhelming so I felt an obligation to start a support group.”

A group of students from Griffith University in Ukraine who were marching with banners on City Quay said they were marching to “stand with Ukraine” on Saturday.

“We are here to support our people and to show solidarity with those who unfortunately lost their lives in this terrible war,” said Martha, 19, from Kiev, who gave only her first name.

Andrew Shamrai, 49, from Leny in western Ukraine, arrived in Ireland a few months after the Russian invasion in February 2022. He says he initially had difficulty settling in Ireland because he could not speak English.

But after taking some classes at UCD and Trinity College, Mr Shamrai improved his language skills and later became an interpreter at the Citywest transit hub, assisting other Ukrainians arriving in Ireland.

Currently he works as a clerk at the Ministry of Justice. “I consider myself a lucky man. I’m happy in Ireland,” he said as he approached Merrion Square.

Mr Shamrai’s future is uncertain given the ongoing conflict. “Her wife is still in Ukraine, but we are thinking of taking her to Ireland,” he said.

“I can’t plan for the long-term future. Right now I’m here, working, in Ireland.”

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