Laois TD Charlie Flanagan banned from Russia over Ukraine

Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan is on the list of Irish politicians banned from Russia by Vladimir Putin over Ireland's stance on the war in Ukraine.

The Fine Gael TD is on the Russian 'stop list' with his Fianna Fail Government colleague in Laois Offaly Barry Cowen.

Dep Flanagan has been a big critic of Putin and co since the Russian dictator ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February.

In the past week the former minister called for Russian operatives to be thrown out of Ireland. He did so along with other members of the Dail foreign affairs and defence committee which the Mountmellick native chairs.

Chairing the International affairs session ⁦at the FineGael⁩ Ard Fheis Dep Flanagan said Russians incorrectly accuse the banned 52 Irish politicians of ‘fuelling Russiaphobia across Ireland’

"We’re not. We’re Putinphobes and we fundamentally disagree with Mr Putin’s every act," he said.

Apart from the two TDs the only other politician elected go represent Laois voters who is on the banned list is Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher.

Russia banned the 52 politicians because of Ireland's unconditional support of EU sanctions against Russia