Kerry native and CNN Correspondent Donie O’Sullivan took to his official Twitter account on Friday night to share an important interview he just conducted.
«Some happy fishermen — we are live tonight from Castletownbere where the fishermen who were prepared to stand up to the Russian navy are celebrating,» his 283.6k followers – mostly Americans – were informed.
And there, in all their glory, were fishermen Patrick Murphy, who met with the Russian ambassador, and Alan Carleton.
Both were deservedly saving the moment with O’Sullivan after Russia announced their plans to relocate their military drills so they take place outside Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Both stressed the importance of this announcement for those local fishermen whose livelihoods would have been severely impacted had these drills taken place.
But this exercise will not go ahead now the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed hours earlier.
«This week I wrote to my counterpart, the Minister of Defense of Russia, to request a reconsideration of naval exercises off the Irish coast.
«This evening I received a letter confirming the Russian exercises will be relocated outside of Ireland’s EEZ. I welcome this response,» he announced on Twitter.
Ambassador of Russia to Ireland HE Yuriy Filatov later released a statement of his own to the planned naval exercises by the Russian Navy in the Atlantic.
«In response to the requests from the Irish government as well as from the Irish South and West Fish Producer’s Organization the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu has made a decision, as a gesture of goodwill, to relocate the exercises by the Russian Navy, planned for February, 3-8, outside the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ), with the aim not to hinder fishing activities by the Irish vessels in the traditional fishing areas.”
But while many weren’t pleased with the sight of Near Cork in the top left corner indicating their location, it was deserved limelight for the men who stood up for themselves and their colleagues.
«I’ll let you guys go have a pint or two maybe?» joked O’Sullivan.
«Oh, you can be sure of that! enthused Murphy.