The heartbroken brother of Irishman Finbar Cafferkey who was killed while battling Russian forces in Ukraine said his sibling was "fair-minded" and "strong-willed".
Colm MacEachmharcaigh made the comments after a "threatening" statement was issued by the Russian Embassy about his brother's death.
Russian Ambassador Yuri Filatov also appeared to suggest that Ireland could find itself at war with Russia.
READ MORE: Ireland weather: Urgent ‘thunder hail’ warning before Met Eireann forecast takes dramatic turn
The Russian Embassy in Ireland said that it was the “Irish Government and media who bear responsibility for the death of Finbar Cafferkey”.
In a statement, they said: "Every loss of life is sad and regretful. We do not know who Finbar Cafferkey was, except that for whatever reason he was fighting in a foreign land. We do not know what his principles were."
They added: "It has been the Government and media who have been promoting anti-Russian propaganda, distorting the truth about the conflict in Ukraine, misleading people like Finbar Cafferkey. Now they face the results of their own efforts.”
The diplomatic row erupted after Tanaiste Micheal Martin expressed his sympathies to Mr. Cafferkey’s family after hearing of his death while fighting against the Russians in Ukraine.
Mr. Martin said that Mr. Cafferkey was “obviously a young man of clear principles”.
But in response, the Russian embassy issued a stark warning to the Irish government against encouraging Irish citizens to take part in the Ukraine conflict.
But Colm hit back and said: “My brother Finbar has always been fair-minded, strong-willed, and unafraid.
“He stood against all forms of imperialism, be it US, British, or Russian, and was strongly opposed to Ireland’s support of US troops and any moves toward joining NATO.
“He was in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian people, as he would have helped any person in the world who was under attack. I loved him and always admired his clear-eyed bravery.”
In the message on Twitter, he added: “We would like to reiterate our request for privacy as we are deeply grieving the loss of Finbar.”
Close pal Andrew Flood said he knew Finbar for 20 years and revealed he previously fought ISIS with Kurdish militia and assisted refugees coming ashore on the Greek island of Kos.
He had also taken part in the Shell to Sea protests against the Corrib Gas project.
The Mayo man is understood to have been in war-torn Ukraine for up to a year before his death in April.
Andrew said: “Finbarr Cafferkey who died resisting the Russian invasion of Ukraine … was a friend & comrade who for the two decades I knew him consistently put himself in harm's way to oppose injustice.”
Speaking yesterday People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy described Finbar as a "quietly courageous man who didn't look for any plaudits."
He also said the Russian Embassy’s statement was “disgusting”.
READ NEXT:
- Dog escapes new owners and walks 64km back to old home that got rid of him
- First photos of ex-GSOC man who partied with Gerry Hutch as he makes desperate attempt to hide face
- Tributes to young student who died after getting into difficulty swimming in sea in Waterford
- Record €566,000 horse dies in transportation accident to Irish yard shortly after being purchased
- Covid Arcturus variant spreading in Ireland as cases triple and peculiar new symptom reported
