Councillors denounce Putin as 'Hitler of today'
President Putin of Russia has been denounced as a despot and a modern-day Hitler for his attack on Ukraine, by members of Westmeath County Council.
At a meeting on Monday, members talked of their neighbours, Ukrainians who have lived and worked here, some for 20 years, but who this week, headed home to defend their country and their people.
The cathaoirleach, Cllr Frankie Keena, declared that this was war on democracy and commended the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people against such a huge armed force.
He spoke of the images of husbands and fathers putting their families on buses out of the country and Ukrainians living in Ireland heading back to fight for their homeland.
He asked that the council issue a letter to the Russian ambassador expressing their disgust and to the Ukrainian ambassador voicing their solidarity.
Cllr Tom Farrell said neighbours of his who worked in a local garage had packed their bags and gone home to Ukraine.
Cllr Ken Glynn said it was incredible to see people who had lived here for 20 years leaving their families to go home to defend their country.
There are many Ukrainians living in Westmeath, according to Cllr Mick Dollard, who had visited Odessa a few years ago. He hoped Ireland and Westmeath would welcome refugees from there.
“This is genocide, cluster bombs are being used on apartment blocks,” declared Cllr Denis Leonard. He described President Putin as a “despot”, a “Hitler of today”.
Cllr Hazel Smyth applauded the bravery of the Ukrainian people defending their country and of the Russians protesting at the invasion. She suggested that the county buildings or the Market Square in Mullingar be lit up in blue and yellow as a show of support, as Athlone bridge was lit.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke spoke of how lucky we were to live in peace and freedom while the opposite is the reality for other people.
Cllr John Dolan suggested that the council make available any yards they had free to facilitate the collection of humanitarian, aid while Cllr Louise Heavin suggested this was a good time for the country to improve on its direct provision accommodation for refugees, saying it was not good enough as it was.