Tuesday, August 6th 2024 marks 79 years since the atomic bombs caused devastation in Hiroshima, followed 3 days later by a further bombing of Nagasaki.

Speaking at a solemn commemoration ceremony this afternoon in Dublin, Chernobyl Children International’s Voluntary CEO Adi Roche is calling for the promotion of peace across the globe, as an urgent priority.

“In Remembering the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we are called to act and to reaffirm our commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.  We renew our pledge to build a world where nuclear weapons have no place.   Current tensions around the globe shows us that nuclear escalation is not a relic of the Cold War,  but an increasingly clear and present danger.”

Roche has been an active voice for peace and justice for over 45 years and acts as the Vice-President of the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (ICND), who organised today’s commemoration in Merrion Square.   Also speaking at the event is Deputy Lord Mayor Of Dublin Donna Cooney and  Japanese Ambassador to Ireland Mr Norio Maruyama, as well as contributions of music and poetry.  A wreath of flowers will be laid at the memorial cherry tree at the close of the commemoration, which will be attended by diplomatic representatives from many countries, including Ukraine and Russia, as well as representation from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

An estimated 80,000 people were directly killed by the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, with casualties reaching 140,000 within a year.