Irish welcome for refugees an 'unprecedented national effort' 

Since January around 5,000 people have arrived from Ukraine and 2,000 from other countries sought international protection 

Marking a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Irish response 'reflects well on who we are as a nation'. Picture: Government Information Service

The Taoiseach has paid tribute to "a great and unprecedented national effort" that "reflects well on who we are as a nation", in marking one year since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Leo Varadkar has said that Ukrainians have also been an inspiration to those who "value freedom and democracy" and he highlighted the "lives lost, opportunities stolen, and whole towns destroyed".