An Irish MEP and former Greenpeace activist has spoken of her experiences encountering the Russian military amid the controversy surrounding next week’s planned live-fire exercises within Ireland’s EEZ.
Grace O’Sullivan recalled facing a forceful response when she climbed the anchor chain of a Russian nuclear warship during an anti-nuclear protest in the 1980s.
“I was barefoot and carrying an anti-nuclear flag in an action aimed at highlighting the presence of Russian military nuclear warships in the Mediterranean Sea, close to densely populated areas,” she said.
“I was greeted with a water cannon and the crew proceeded to drop the anchor chain, attempting to submerge me.”
Acknowledging the outcome of discussions between Irish fishing industry representatives and the Russian ambassador over the planned manoeuvres 240km off the Cork coast, the Green Party MEP was blunt in her assessment of what might happen if trawlers and Russian naval vessels come into close quarters.
Grace O’Sullivan in the 1980s protesting with Greenpeace on the anchor chain of a Russian naval warship | Credit: Greenpeace
“As someone who has come face-to-face with the Russian military over my time as a Greenpeace activist, I know they would be less than welcoming if our fishers were to square up to them off our shores. I would certainly have concerns for fishers’ safety under those circumstances.”
She added: “In my view, fishers will not be welcomed by the Russian naval personnel, but I am an activist at heart and understand fishers’ desperation in trying to protect marine life in the area and fight to save their livelihoods and way of life.”
O’Sullivan said the planned naval drills and missile tests “are alarming on every front. Some reassurance has been given to fishers…that their fishing grounds will not be affected by next week’s Russian naval exercises. However, I remain gravely concerned at the potential negative impacts on the general marine environment in the area.”
And she said the concerns of the fishing fleet and environmentalists alike over the potential impact on the area’s marine wildlife are justified.
“It reflects general opposition amongst the Irish public to the militarisation of our waters, where the navies of Russia and other countries can operate without accountability,” the MEP from Tramore added.
“As a member of the Fisheries Committee in the European Parliament, I will continue to oppose the militarisation of our seas as I have done for over 30 years and fight to hold militaries accountable for their detrimental impact on the marine environment and the safety of seafarers everywhere.”
