President Catherine Connolly has said the “normalisation of war can never be accepted” in her first St Patrick’s Day message since taking office.
A week after strongly criticising the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran, the President said that as a small neutral State, with a peacekeeping tradition since 1958, Ireland can have a disproportionately large influence in global disarmament.
“The normalisation of war can never be accepted. Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to peace and diplomacy in line with the principles of international law as set out in the United Nations Charter,” she said.
[ Irish Times view on President Connolly’s comments: Finding her voiceOpens in new window ]
The President added that the Republic’s long-standing record in peacekeeping and support for disarmament demonstrated the influence a small neutral country could have internationally.
READ MORE
“As a neutral, independent country, a postcolonial society, and a people marked by famine and forced migration, we are uniquely placed to offer a valuable perspective on the challenges facing our world, not least war and displacement,” she said.
The remarks come just a week after Ms Connolly strongly criticised military attacks in the Middle East in a statement to mark International Women’s Day, describing recent strikes as “deliberate assaults on international law”.
While she did not name specific countries in that statement, the comments were widely interpreted as a reference to US and Israeli military attacks on Iran.
In her St Patrick’s Day message, the president struck a more reflective tone while again emphasising the importance of diplomacy and humanitarian principles.
She described Patrick as a person who had been trafficked across the Irish Sea from Britain as a young man.
[ Catherine Connolly criticises ‘violations of international law’ in Middle EastOpens in new window ]
“As we recall the life of Patrick, we invoke his spirit and acknowledge our shared responsibilities as global citizens,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with those who find themselves in vulnerable and dangerous circumstances.”
She said the story of Patrick was relevant today, especially for those who still faced war, persecution and forced displacement.
“Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement,” she said.
Referring to the State’s record on international peacekeeping since 1958, she said our history showed how a neutral State could have a significant impact when acting with integrity and purpose.
“We understand that peace is not merely the absence of war but also the presence of justice,” she said.
