Irishman killed in Ukraine battling Russians

Former Shell to Sea activist also went to fight against ISIS

- TOM SHIEL

AN Irishman has been killed while battling Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, his family has confirmed.

Finbar Cafferkey, a native of Achill Island, Co Mayo, was a military volunteer with previous combat experience in Syria where he assisted Kurdish militia in their battle against ISIS.

He recently travelled to Ukraine to assist the country's resistance.

Reports of Finbar's death were confirmed by his father, Tom, at the family home in Cashel, Achill, yesterday.

Mr Cafferkey declined to elaborate on the circumstances of his son's passing or offer any further comment.

He said: "We are grieving. It's a private matter. I don't want to say anything further." The news has stunned the Achill Island community.

One local person said: "We heard reports yesterday that Finbar had been killed but we were hoping against hope that the information was untrue. Now that his death has been confirmed we are absolutely devastated."