Longford mum seeks autopsy report ‘to understand son’s last moments’ in Ukraine

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has received a commitment from EU Commissioner Michael McGrath to intervene with the Ukrainian authorities regarding the tragic death of Reuters safety adviser Ryan Evans in Ukraine.

Following a meeting in Strasbourg where he personally presented a letter written by Ryan’s mother, MEP Mullooly confirmed that Commissioner McGrath will use his office to formally request detailed information from Ukrainian officials, specifically seeking the results of Mr Evans’s autopsy.

The move comes after ongoing concerns raised by Mr Evans’s family about the circumstances of his death and the transparency of subsequent investigations.

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“I am still shocked and saddened by the loss of the life of Ryan Evans. His work for Reuters was an important part of ensuring that the freedom of the press always prevails – especially in areas of world conflict and he gave his life to protect that right,” said MEP Mullooly.

Ryan Evans, a safety adviser working with Reuters, was killed in August 2024 during a missile strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. He was one of six Reuters staff staying at the hotel under Ukrainian control near the front line when it was hit.

His family, who have strong connections to Lanesboro, Co Longford, have been in close contact with MEP Mullooly and have repeatedly called for clarity and support from European institutions.

“I have no doubt his hotel was targeted because of the media presence” said Mullooly, “ and now my only wish is that his mother and father would get some form of closure by learning of the actual details of their son’s passing. Geraldine Evans is an EU citizen and her family in Longford are still deeply distressed about what happened,” Mullooly continued.

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In her letter, Ryan’s mother Geraldine Evans wrote, “We have been informed that Ryan sustained massive injuries and was killed instantly, however, there are some small conflicting accounts from official sources and eye witnesses at the scene, whom we have spoken with, regarding his injuries.

“We are therefore seeking to obtain the autopsy report from the Ukrainian authorities in order to learn as much as we can and try and understand our son's last moments and find out how badly injured he was as we were unable to see him when his body was brought home, his coffin was sealed. We believe that knowing is better than guessing and imagining his injuries as we have been now for almost a year.”

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MEP Mullooly added: “I met with Commissioner McGrath and asked him that the European Commission should use whatever pressure they can – hard pressure or soft pressure – to get the results of Ryan's autopsy and find out how he died. I want to commend Commissioner McGrath on his response to my appeal. He has already given the commitment to follow up with Ukrainian authorities and we must wait now to see what progress can be made.”

He concluded: “I hope to bring Ryan’s parents to Brussels or Strasbourg in the autumn where we will celebrate his life and learn more about the appalling incidents where hotels used by the media are being targeted by Russian forces. Transparency and accountability are essential, not only for Ryan’s loved ones but for all journalists and humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones.”