Communities across Clare are coming together to do what they can to help the people of Ukraine.
It comes as the Ukranian President has described the Russian attack on it’s second city as a war crime, while there’s a growing unease after new satellite pictures revealed the scale of Russian military forces heading towards Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy has told the European Parliament his country is fighting for its freedom.
He’s been speaking at a specially convened debate on the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Yesterday, Ukraine formally signed a request for membership to the bloc, something the Taoiseach says he would support fast-tracking, but admitted is unlikely to happen.
Speaking via videolink and through a translator, President Zelenskyy said nobody will break the country.
Satellite pictures show a 40-mile long convoy of armoured Russian vehicles heading towards Kyiv.
The Kremlin’s denying allegations of strikes on civilian targets, despite the UN saying that 136 Ukrainian civilians have died in the conflict.
Clare’s Fianna Fail Senator, meanwhile, says Ireland cannot ‘stand idly by’ during the ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainian President’s ‘Servant of the People Party’ has been granted temporary membership of Fianna Fáil’s ALDE group, whose co-President is Mountshannon Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley.
Senator Dooley says the people of Clare are among those getting behind the humanitarian effort.
The conflict has had a far reaching effect, with communities across Clare coming together to play their part in helping the people of Ukraine.
The Community Centre in Miltown Malbay transformed into a hub overnight for people to drop off household items, that may be of use to people who have lost their homes.
Manager of the centre, Neil Hynes says this is a shocking and extraordinary time and the people in the community want to help.
Lisdoonvarna Fáilte is also accepting donations at the Pavillion Theatre, while Mary Immaculate Secondary School is also putting out a call to students.
Local resident Theresa O’Donoghue says people of all ages are getting involved.
Two van loads of goods have already left Shannon, en route the Polish Ukraine border, after the local community came together with local businesses.
Karl Fogarty, from Shannon Leisure Centre says locals will continue to do whatever it takes to help out in the humaitarian effort.
