Expulsion of Russian diplomat ‘will not go unanswered’

The Russian embassy has warned of retaliatory actions after Ireland joined dozens of countries in expelling a diplomat over the nerve agent attack in Britain.

However, Tánaiste Simon Coveney also admitted last night that Ireland did not have the power to “independently verify” Britain’s claims that Russia was behind the attack.

The decision, made by Cabinet, was informed by security chiefs and saw the Russian ambassador hauled in to the Department of Foreign Affairs.