The Workers’ Party has hit back against a number of politicians and commentators who have criticised former Cuban President Fidel Castro who died on Friday.

Workers’ Party North Inner City Councillor, Éilis Ryan, described the attacks on Fidel Castro as “the brainwashed rantings of people who knew nothing about the former Cuban leader other than what they were fed by a biased media”. Ryan said if those concerned bothered to educate themselves on Cuba they would know that Fidel Castro and his comrades have transformed Cuba from a US controlled criminal dictatorship into a beacon for human justice and decency.

“Despite a 54 year embargo against Cuba which has prevented it from importing food and basic medicines in addition to technology and books, Cuba has not only transformed itself but has positively aided other countries in every corner of the world”.

Jimmy Dignam, Dublin North-West representative, continued: “At present the political establishment in Ireland is in a state of panic over Brexit. Yet something far worse, a total embargo has been endured by Cuba for 54 years. The Cuban Revolution overthrew the wicked and immoral regime of the US backed dictator Batista. That the dictator and his entourage, in addition to the freebooters, criminals and profiteers fled Cuba and set up base in Florida is no secret. Are these the type of people Noel Rock and the others are calling victims?”

Dignam stated that the hypocrisy of those accusing Cuba and Fidel Castro of human rights abuses is breathtaking. “These are the same people who knowingly turned a blind eye to US rendition flights and the transport of massive bombs through Shannon airport so that women and children can be obliterated in Iraq, Syria or half a dozen other countries.”

Dignam concluded: “Cuba never bombed any of its neighbours. During Hurricane Katrina, Cuba was one of the first to offer practical aid to homeless people in the United States. Unlike Ireland, it has no shortage of doctors, and has been sending doctors to countries where they are most needed, to treat and care for the sick and the poor”.

“The attacks on Fidel Castro are sick and petty. They come from those who laud the likes of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and condemn those who criticise these countries because of their trade with Ireland. Human Rights issues in such countries are quickly brushed aside with a whisper. They praise the Israel despite its ongoing slaughter of Palestinian people in their own homeland”.