Taoiseach's constituency office daubed by protester

GARDAÍ have arrested a woman in Castlebar this morning after she daubed the constituency offices of Taoiseach Enda Kenny with red paint.

The woman, who resides in west Mayo, was protesting over the tragic death of countless children in the city of Aleppo during the war currently raging in Syria.

Members of An Garda Siochana were called to the scene at Tucker Street after a complaint was made. 

Speaking in Dáil Éireann when questioned about the crisis in Syria on October 4, An Taoiseach said: “The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade called in the Russian ambassador last Tuesday and left him in no uncertain terms as to how this country feels about the human catastrophe that is unfolding and has unfolded in Syria and particularly Aleppo.

'The minister made perfectly clear our absolute disgust at and abhorrence of the bombing of a United Nations humanitarian convoy going into Aleppo to relieve people who have had neither food nor water for quite some time.'

'There have been catastrophic deaths of men, women and children in particular, with the bombing of hospitals and the resulting break off of discussions between the United States and Russia on the matter. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade also spoke to UN High Representative Mogherini last Friday.

'The matter has been discussed at every European Council I have attended and the question is what kind of support can be given. President Putin invaded Crimea and took it over a couple of years ago.

'There has been destabilisation in a number of eastern Balkans states. In this case, Russia and Iran have supported Assad and the United States and Europe have supported the opposition.

'This is a human catastrophe and perhaps within the European Union we have always seemed to take peace too much for granted. A few hours across the shores unfolds a misery from the deliberate destruction of human life across a range of fronts.

'There are sanctions against Russia and, separately from that; this country has increased its humanitarian aid on a number of occasions. It is a sad fact that Syria has now been at war for the past five years and Aleppo is now becoming a symbol from a Russian perspective; with the success of the support given by the Russian forces to Assad, the intent is to obliterate Aleppo.

'From the European Union perspective, Ministers have spoken directly to UN High Representative Mogherini. I repeat that our Minister last Tuesday called in the Russian ambassador, leaving him in no uncertain position as to the way this country feels about the humanitarian catastrophe that has afflicted Syria for some time and Aleppo in particular.”

Taoiseach Kenny continued: “What one has to take into account here is the intention, objective and mentality of President Putin. He invaded Crimea and took it over, although there has not been a word about that since.

'There has been destabilisation in eastern Ukraine and pressure on a number of other states in that region. In fact, at the European Union meeting in Bratislava two weeks ago, concern was expressed about the lack of a European Union policy on the eastern Balkan states in the context of the pressure and influence they are coming under from Russia.

'Clearly, Russia is looking for ports on the Syrian coast. There are many indicators to suggest that President Putin intends to restore, for want of a better word, the reputation and influence of Russia in the Middle East. Syria was its last hold. Russia’s support, along with that of Iran, for the Assad regime has resulted in this humanitarian catastrophe.

'The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade spoke to Mr. Ban Ki-moon in New York recently at the UN. The latter has condemned unreservedly the recent attack on the humanitarian convoy and the death of aid workers.

'I also spoke to the US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, last weekend. The United States has broken off discussions with Russia because the latter has not lived up to the agreement the two countries had.

'Maybe that is what Russia wants in order that Aleppo comes more into focus to be completely obliterated and cluster bombs and bunker bombs that are now being used.

'This matter was discussed at the European Council but we are not going to have a European army. Some countries want to send in more assistance.

'Other countries, like ourselves, are neutral and will remain so but are clearly concerned about the humanitarian issues for the women, men and children of Syria.

'It is a very complicated geopolitical process but I assure Dáil Éireann that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, made it perfectly clear to the Russian ambassador just how strongly this country feels about what is happening before our eyes in Aleppo.”