Tipperary woman Adi Roche issues warning on 'nuclear powder keg' in Ukraine

Adi Roche, the founder and Voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International, says that two years ago this month Chernobyl re-entered "centre stage" for all the wrong reasons.

The Clonmel woman says, "News of the Russian invasion of Ukraine came spilling menacingly into our lives, telling us troop movement en route to Kyiv came via the world's most toxic environment, the dreaded Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, re-releasing deeply buried toxic radioactive elements into the environment.  

"Emboldened by their cavalier actions at Chernobyl, Russian forces moved onwards to one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants, and we now watch with bated breath as the occupied Zaporizhzhia falls further and further away from the confines of safety and regulation.

"Ukraine is sitting on a nuclear powder keg and we must wake up to this reality. 

"The people of Ireland can take solace and be proud of the outpouring of love and generosity that has been shown to the people of Ukraine over the past two years, opening our hearts and our homes.  We are on the frontline of the humanitarian response. Today, I once again call on the Irish people to stand up, speak out and use our voices to advocate for peace. 

"The intensifying nuclear threat in Ukraine is an inconvenient truth, but one we must not shy away from. And by denying the realities, we are only doing a disservice to generations of children who would undoubtedly be impacted by any nuclear disaster in the war. 

"In these turbulent times of war and planetary degradation, it is easy to become despairing, paralysed and hopeless. So much is lost in the cacophony of noise from the beating drums of winnerless wars; it is easy to forget the power of all the goodness around us. 

"Our compassion for others is the heartbeat of our society. 

"Thanks to you we are playing our part.  In the early days of the war, we established a flexible and nimble rapid response to the needs on the ground and have continued these efforts in order to make as much of an impact as possible.  This would not be possible without you. Thank you".