The Department of Foreign Affairs has said there is no justification for the threatened use of nuclear weapons and reminded Russia that it said last January a nuclear war “must never be fought”.

The department was responding to reports on Russian state TV showing computer-simulated nuclear attacks on Britain, which also wipes out Ireland.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan described the TV reports as “disturbing” and a “disgrace”.

The computer simulation was carried on State-owned Russia-1 TV at the weekend and showed the Poseidon torpedo being fired from a submarine, the Belgorod, and exploding some 300km north-west of Donegal.

Accompanied by animated clips, presenter Dmitry Kiselyov, described as being very close to president Vladimir Putin, said a 500m-high tsunami will plunge Britain and Ireland "into the depths of the sea".

“Such a barrage also carries extreme doses of radiation," he said. "Having passed over the British Isles it will turn whatever might be left of them into a radioactive desert, unfit for anything for a long time.” 

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "There can be no justification for threatening use of nuclear weapons. Ireland has long argued that nuclear weapons offer no security, and their use would result in devastating humanitarian consequences.

"Ireland recalls the statement of the heads of the five nuclear-weapon states, including Russia in January 2022, that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought."

The department added: "Ireland continues to urge maximum restraint, de-escalation, and the avoidance of any nuclear rhetoric which will only worsen an already dangerous and unpredictable situation.” 

The department called on Russia to agree to an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of troops to pre-February 24 positions, and a commitment to a dialogue.