President leads global candle lighting campaign to mark 35th anniversary of Chernobyl

President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina, lighting a special commemorative candle in the entrance hall at Áras an Uachtaráin to mark the 35th anniversary of the devastating Chernobyl nuclear accident.  Picture: Tony Maxwell

President Michael D Higgins is leading a global candle lighting campaign today to mark the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Mr Higgins, who along with his wife, Sabine, lit a candle in Áras an Uachtaráin, said he wanted to recognise the extraordinary contribution the people of Ireland have made to the victims of Chernobyl since 1986.