Leitrim councillor 'People are being killed queuing for food; it's an outrage and it's wrong'

​Leitrim councillor Padraig Fallon spoke to the Leitrim Observer this week on his views regarding the ongoing war in Gaza describing it as a "genocide". 

Cllr Fallon stated that he "could not understand it. There are war crimes being committed on a daily basis in Gaza. How anyone could describe it as anything other than a genocide is beyond me. People are being killed queuing for food. It is an outrage and it's wrong."

He continued that the situation should "never had gotten to this stage and it should have ended long ago. How Israel is not being held to account is beyond me. For me it questions the value of the United Nations; all these human rights groups and organisations that have been set up that work within the UN."

He added: "I don't think it's the case that nobody can hold Israel to account. I think it's the case that some seem to be afraid to."

Cllr Fallon also commented on the impending deal on tariffs between the US and Ireland. 

A deal on tariffs will be reached between the US and European Union by 9 July and a pause on the higher rate of tariffs by the US on a number of countries is scheduled to be lifted.

At present most Irish exports to the US now have tariffs of 10%.

Cllr Fallon was speaking after Tánaiste Simon Harris this week attended Fourth of July celebrations hosted by new ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh on the lawn of the Deerfield Residence in Phoenix Park where he stated: “Let’s use every hour between then to reach a deal.”

Mr Harris said Ireland wanted to see a “zero-for-zero” tariff approach in as many areas as possible, adding that uncertainty and instability “helps no one”.

Cllr Fallon agreed saying that "it's everybody's interests I would say to have a zero-for-zero tariff fee. I would say it has mutual benefits for all; for both economies. I struggle to understand the US's administration's thinking on the situation because tariffs will have an impact on American consumers as well as European and Irish consumers."