Brendan Murphy in Warsaw: 'I have seen Mordor and it is real. I am not okay'

Omeath man Brendan Murphy writes for the Irish Examiner from Warsaw, describing his and his family's escape from the war-torn country 

Destroyed Russian armoured vehicles in the city of Bucha, west of Kyiv, on Friday. This infestation of evil cannot be allowed. Photo: ARIS MESSINIS / AFP via Getty Images

Like my namesake the saint, I have travelled a hard road not yet complete. From missile strikes in Kyiv, warplanes and paratroopers, country roads of ancient history and lanes of compacted sand.

My journey was not of my planning, it was guided by two forces, the people of Ukraine and those of Ireland. It involved cross-country drives away from troop landings and missiles, safehouses and long journeys through day and night.