Several hundred people attended a Ukraine Solidarity Gathering in Cahir over the weekend.
Members of the Rockwell Music Academy (Suzanne Buttimer/Janyne McConnon /Fidelma Nugent) performed the Ukrainian and Irish National anthems.
While the gathering was addressed by Fidelma Nugent, a local primary school teacher and Valery Yeromin, a Ukrainian living in Ireland since 2000 although his eldest son still lives in Ukraine.
Mr Yeromin thanked the Irish government for it’s ten million euro donation for humanitarian aid and the provision of visas for those wishing to travel to Ireland.
Mr Yeromin says the sanctions will undermine Russian ability to fund the war, will serve to disrupt life in Russia and undermine support for Vladimir Putin.
Ms Nugent says the event was to demonstrate support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people in Ukraine, in Cahir or between Ukraine and Cahir.
Support can be moral, legal or practical supplies as people become refugees due to the war according to Ms Nugent.
Several local public representatives attended the event including Cllrs Marie Murphy, Andy Moloney, Anne Marie Ryan with Oireachtas members deputy Mattie McGrath and Senator Garret Ahearn also present.
The attendance included people from Ukraine living across county Tipperary – all expressing the heartbreak they feel watching from a distance. Many have family – parents or siblings in Ukraine and fear for their safety.
Many Irish nationals also attended to show support and expressed their concern about escalating violence across Europe with one lady recalling how her father had fought in WWII and she did not think another war in Europe could ever be a reality.
