A BOYCOTT of Russian goods in response to the invasion of Ukraine has been called for by Ennis councillors, who have also urged the people of Clare to support local efforts to provide relief for the war-stricken country.
Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, urged that retailers who are stocking products made in Russia withdraw them from shelves as she described President Vladimir Putin as a “modern day Hitler”.
She said that the people of Ireland are “repulsed” by recent events in Ukraine.
She acknowledged, “This is not the Russian people, they are in the dark, this is being done by a megalomaniac who is detached from reality. He doesn’t care about Russian soldiers in Ukraine who thought they were going in on exercises. This is an appalling betrayal of his own people. But this shouldn’t deter us from boycotting Russia economically.”
Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton praised the people of Clare who have taken on the task of raising funds and supplies for people in Ukraine. She said that the people of Ukraine, “are in our thoughts and prayers” with a “huge amount of work” being done throughout the country to support them.
“There are a number of appeals on going all over the county and I know that a number of schools are also doing collections. To see so many people and their families in Ukraine so distressed, I am appealing to the people of Ireland and the people of Ennis to get involved as much as they can.”
She continued, “We have a large amount of people living in our county who are affected by this personally, we are a very small, giving county and community and I really feel now it is important that people try and help in whatever way they can.”
Councillor Johnny Flynn backed the call to support relief collections in Clare, as well as the idea of a boycott, describing the invasion of Ukraine as “a totally unjust act of aggression by Putin”.
He also proposed that the council write to the Russian Ambassador to express their opposition to the invasion of Ukraine.
Councillor Mary Howard outlined details of the efforts that are being made locally by members of the Polish community to gather supplies for transport to Poland where they will be given to people who have fled Ukraine.
She added that the current situation is worrying for people from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries saying, “People in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, all looking and asking are we next? Putin seems to be intent on getting the USSR back again. I have spoken to Russian people living here and they don’t support him.”
Councillor Pat Daly supported the idea of a boycott, saying “we need to hit them commercially and financially. It’s sad to see in this day and age a leader like Putin who doesn’t understand democracy.”
He also stressed the importance of supporting relief efforts.
Councillor Paul Murphy agreed with the sentiments already expressed, adding his backing to writing to the Russian ambassador “as long as he is still here”.