NEWS -- January 26, 2022: Russian war games in a popular Irish fishing area will be disrupted by fishermen who fear
the exercises could damage their livelihoods. According to reports, Russia informed Ireland of the exercises this week, prompting the Irish government to issue an ambiguous statement regarding Russia’s right to conduct military exercises within international waters.
Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov said the reaction to the exercise was “hugely overblown,” denying that Russia posed any threat to Ireland or any other country. Despite this claim, Irish fishermen have planned to disrupt the war games because of fears that they could damage their livelihoods in a well-known fishing area.
Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers says Irish fishing boats are ready “We want to act. We’re not going to face down boats, we’re not going to take them on that way, but we are definitely making a point here and we want our government to do something for us,” Murphy announced.
“Our boats will be going out to that area on the first of February to go fishing,” Murphy said.
"When one boat needs to return to port, another will head out so there is a continuous presence on the water," he continued.
“If that is in proximity to where the [military] exercise is going, we are expecting that the Russian naval services abide by the anti-collision regulations.”
The Irish fishing industry has taken “as much as it can possibly take,” Murphy said.
Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington