Taoiseach: Leaders regard 'hijacking' of Ryanair jet as 'attack on EU itself'

Belarus authorities forced Ryanair flight 4978 from Athens to Vilnius to land at Minsk airport on Sunday morning in order to arrest and detain opposition journalist Roman Protasevich

Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there was genuine anger and shock among EU leaders at what was seen as the reckless nature of the incident. File Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

The 'hijacking' of the Ryanair jet by Belarus was seen by angered European leaders as an 'attack on the EU itself,' Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Mr Martin expressed his support for the fresh sanctions on the Belarusian regime announced by EU leaders on Monday night.