Cork ceremony marks almost four decades since Chernobyl disaster

Cork marked the 39th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster at a commemoration event held Fitzgerald’s Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle was in attendance to preside over the ceremony, while also in attendance was Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Boyle said: “I attend every year on a personal basis. But this year I had the honour of being there as Lord Mayor.

“In my own contribution, I was highlighting that we weren’t only commemorating the catastrophe of 1986, we were also remembering the ongoing tragedy of Ukraine and the current situation, and the need for Ireland and Cork to be even stronger in our levels of support for the people of Ukraine.

“Cork has had a long and strong association with Chernobyl and with Ukraine,” Mr Boyle said.

“In recent years, we have had the arrival of a very large Ukrainian community, who I believe add considerably to the life of the city.”

Victims

The event was attended by city councillors, representatives from the Navy, Fire Brigade, and Defence Forces, while the local and Ukrainian communities also participated.

Every year Cork-based charity, the Greater Chernobyl Cause, commemorates the victims of the catastrophe.

The event was also marked with poetry, music, songs, and prayers. Candles were lit and a roll call of the fatalities from the 1986 nuclear disaster recited.

A minute’s silence was observed prior to a performance of the Last Post and lowering the flag to half mast.

In her speech at the event, Fiona Corcoran, the founder of the Greater Chernobyl Cause charity, said: “Today we commemorate the 39th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl.

“This anniversary marks the starting point, not the limit, of the Chernobyl catastrophe, which continues to unfold even today.

“Chernobyl is not in the past. Five million people who live in areas contaminated by the accident are still experiencing its repercussions. They have to cope with the ongoing political, social, environmental and health consequences of the disaster.”