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Finbar Cafferke. Shell to Sea/PA

Family of man killed in Ukraine says he stood 'against all forms of imperialism'

Finbar Cafferkey, who was in his 40s and from Achill Island, was killed fighting Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in recent days.

THE FAMILY OF an Irishman who was killed in Ukraine have paid tribute to him, saying that he was “against all forms of imperialism, be it US, British, or Russian”.

Cafferkey, who was in his 40s and from Achill Island, was killed fighting Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in recent days.

He was a seasoned activist who had taken part in the Shell to Sea protests against the Corrib Gas project, later fighting in Syria against ISIS. 

Finbar’s brother Colm issued a statement on behalf of the Cafferkey family, saying that he possessed “clear eyed bravery” and was in Ukraine “to help the Ukrainian people, as he would have helped any person in the world who was under attack”. 

Colm said: “My brother Finbar has always been fair minded, strong willed, and unafraid.

“He stood against all forms of imperialism, be it US, British, or Russian, and was strongly opposed to Ireland’s support of US troops and any moves towards joining Nato.

“He was in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian people, as he would have helped any person in the world who was under attack. I loved him and always admired his clear eyed bravery. We would like to reiterate our request for privacy as we are deeply grieving the loss of Finbar.”

The statement from the Cafferkey family comes after a recent statement from Russia’s Irish embassy criticised as “chilling”.

The Russian Embassy in Dublin criticised Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s comments where he praised Caffeykey as a man with “clear principles”. 

The Russian Embassy said that Martin’s comments could be seen as making Ireland a “direct participant in the conflict”, which has drawn heavy criticism from politicians here.

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41 Comments
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    Mute francis devenney
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:29 PM

    This is a thing that a lot of the “whatabout” crowd don’t seem to understand, opposing Russian imperialism does not mean supporting western imperialism
    We can be opposed to all of it.

    504
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    Mute Adrian
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:52 PM

    Plenty of abelbodied Ukrainian men of fighting age floating about over here.While foreign fighters go over to Ukraine to try and keep out the Russians.

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    Mute francis devenney
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:00 PM

    @Adrian: “Fighting age” is meaningless phrase made up by people who want you to be afraid. Not everyone is suited to military service especially in a combat role, some for physical reasons most because they not suited psychology to harming others. Age has nothing to do with it,

    287
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    Mute Denis Ryan
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:02 PM

    @Adrian: wow doctor, have you personally assessed each of them to be able to comment on their battle readiness.

    248
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    Mute all devices
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:09 PM

    @Denis Ryan: No need to. Not everyone assisting in a war effort to defend their country stands on the front line or required to carry or use arms. There are many many ways to support your country’s defence. And yes, it is strange the amount of male and single adult women who are here from the Ukraine. And this is only what I have observed in my own small town.
    Surely there vital roles they could be filling at home.

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    Mute David Terry
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:33 PM

    @Denis Ryan: Have you Dennis?

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    Mute Denis Ryan
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:39 PM

    @David Terry: No, but I’m not the one questioning them. It’s Denis, not Dennis the clue in is the name above my comment.

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    Mute Emmet Murphy
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    Apr 30th 2023, 3:50 PM

    @all devices: Who’ll mind the kids, they may be here and training with Irish army also and for clearing mines etc.

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    Mute Gerard McAuliffe
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:38 PM

    Hero

    362
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    Mute James Mullen
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:50 PM

    @Gerard McAuliffe: No

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    Mute James Mullen
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:50 PM

    @Gerard McAuliffe: No.

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    Mute David Terry
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:04 PM

    @James Mullen: Not you Gerard!

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    Mute honey badger
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:21 PM

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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    Mute AnthonyK
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:37 PM

    A brave man

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    Mute Paulco
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:18 PM

    One thing for sure is this man was no coward.

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    Mute Eugene Kelly
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    Apr 30th 2023, 1:26 PM

    Strange!

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    Mute Sal Paradise
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:33 PM

    The sun is back out so time to put the phone down and get outside on this bank holiday Sunday. Hopefully @williamslevin “enjoys” himself with his photo of Vlad, bare chested, pinned to the wall.

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    Mute Robert Halvey
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:38 PM

    While history in most part has white washed the vile mass murder of minorities that is part of Russias history. Little frightened angry man Putin has insured the civilised world will reawaken to the truth about Russia

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    Mute Le I
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:14 PM

    lads ye need to do yer homework more before posting on here.
    The bots are standing out a mile ^

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    Mute Le I
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:15 PM

    sorry your Eastern interpretation comrade doesn’t match good old fashioned Irish values.
    Leave the bots in the shed to rust lads

    46
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    Mute Le I
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:26 PM

    Slava Ukraini
    Now go back to Russia before I set Darby O Gill on you

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    Mute Le I
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    Apr 30th 2023, 2:23 PM

    its off not of
    good luck

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