Two children of Chernobyl who were adopted by Irish families after the 1986 nuclear accident

Belarussians Anna and Alexi consider themselves lucky to have been adopted by Irish couples after the 1986 nuclear accident, says Jonathan deBurca Butler

ROBERT Gabriel remembers the hazy images of the Chernobyl disaster that were broadcast around a shocked world in April of 1986.

“I remember bits and pieces on the TV,” says the Bandon native. “It was terrible, really. But, like many tragedies in the world, it just disappeared. It was a long way away and it didn’t really affect us.” Robert had no idea that the disaster would have a profound effect on his life.