Two years of war in Ukraine: Irish support 'keeps us holding on'
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Thousands of people have marched through Dublin in a demonstration marking the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Action in Ireland group organised a march through Dublin starting outside the GPO on O’Connell Street.
Demonstrators shouted “Free Ukraine” and called for Russia to leave the country.
Participants waved Ukrainian flags and carried placards with slogans including “Vladimir Putin is killing Ukrainian children”.
Ukrainians also thanked Irish people for their support since the war began.
Ireland has provided refuge to 100,000 Ukrainians under EU temporary protection rules since the war began.
Moldovan and Polish nationals also joined the protest.
Olha Chekmaieva fled her home city of Odesa in 2022 before settling in Ireland.
The Ukrainian Action in Ireland spokeswoman told the PA news agency that Irish support keeps her “holding on”.
“Today we mark the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion that Russia started in my country Ukraine.
“Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine in Ireland came to O’Connell Street to march and mark this devastating event.
“We are actually fascinated by the way Ireland and Irish people support us still. It is amazing and what keeps us holding on, actually.
“We want to remind people that the war – even if it is not in the news that much – is still going on on a daily basis.
“Just yesterday, another rocket hit the house in the city where I’m from. Several died.
“We want the world and Ireland to remember that we need their support in our fight for freedom.”