Advertisement

Pat Kenny to Russian ambassador: 'Give us a break, cut the whining'

Pat Kenny took time on Tuesday to speak directly to the Russian ambassador
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

16.16 8 Mar 2022


Share this article


Pat Kenny to Russian ambassador: 'Give us a break, cut the whining'


Jack Quann
Jack Quann

16.16 8 Mar 2022


Share this article


Newstalk host Pat Kenny took time on his show on Tuesday to deliver a message to Russia's Ambassador to Ireland, Yuri Filatov.

He was speaking after a truck was driven into the gates of the Russian embassy in Dublin on Monday.

A man has since appeared in court charged with criminal damage and dangerous driving.

Advertisement

The Russian embassy condemned the attack, saying that it was a "clear and blatant violation of Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961."

It also said it had implemented 'additional measures' to protect the embassy and its personnel.

Mr Kenny said no damage to any embassy can be condoned.

But he added: "Do we really have to listen to the embassy complaining about contraventions of the Geneva Convention on diplomacy?

"I wish Ambassador Yury Filatov would instead turn his attention to other elements of the Geneva Conventions.

"For example, Article 15 and 79 of the fourth Geneva Convention provides special protections for women, children and civilian medical personnel, and provide measures of protection for journalists.

"That's a Russian joke in Ukraine.

"And I wonder does the ambassador, as he's complaining about his own minor difficulties, have no feeling for the men and women being terrorised by his country in his name?

"If the ambassador wants to look at the Rome Statute of the International Court, he might want to have a word with [President Vladimir Putin] because that Statute tells us that a war crime means grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of the 12th of August 1949 - namely any of the following acts against persons or property protected under the provisions of the relevant Geneva Convention."

Mr Kenny read of just some of the provisions: "Willful killing - has Russia done this in Ukraine? Yes. Willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health. Has Russia done this in Ukraine? Yes.

"Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities - has Russia done this? Yes.

"Intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival - including willfully impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions.

"Has Russia done this? Certainly yes in Mariupol."

He added: "The ambassador would no doubt come on and deny that Russia is doing this, but who could believe him anyway?"

Mr Kenny left Ambassador Filatov with a message: "Give us a break, and cut the whining."

Main image: Composite image shows Newstalk host Pat Kenny and Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yuri Filatov. Picture by: Newstalk/Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Share this article


Read more about

Geneva Conventions Mariupol Pat Kenny Russian Ambassador Ukraine Vienna Convention Willful Killing Yuri Filatov

Most Popular