- Deception by Tánaiste Micheál Martin involves Ireland deeper into Russian Ukrainian war
- Irish troops training Ukrainians in weapon use is a blatant breach of Ireland’s neutrality
- Protest at Dept of Foreign Affairs, Tuesday 1pm
The IAWM condemns the decision by Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin and the Irish Government to send up to as many as 30 Irish troops to train Ukrainians in the use of lethal weaponry, as was revealed in an article in the Irish Times on last Friday 18th August.
Micheál Martin has deceived the Dáil and the Irish public by playing with words. When offering training in demining, combat medical activities, engineering and explosive ordnance disposal to Ukraine he said specifically and repeatedly in February 2023 that the training offered would be “non-lethal”. Now it is clear that the Irish expertise offered by the Government will include training Ukrainians in how to use lethal weapons that kill people.
This action by the Government is a blatant breach of Ireland’s neutrality and in particular of Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which states categorically that “Ireland affirms its adherence to the principle of the pacific settlement of international disputes” and Article 28.3.1 which states “… the State shall not participate in any war save with the assent of Dáil Éireann”.
In addition, this latest escalation in involving Ireland on one side of a bloody conflict will not ultimately help the people of Ukraine.
Jim Roche, PRO of the IAWM said:
“There is no military solution to this war. It has reached a horrendous state of attrition with multiple deaths and injuries on both sides every week and little movement of the front line. Yet there is this gung-ho ‘Top Gun’ type bravado by western militarists and many in the mainstream western media that asserts that pumping more arms into Ukraine will bring victory. It is sad and treacherous that the Irish Government has joined this militaristic frenzy.
Instead of joining the ongoing military escalation by NATO the Irish Government should instead be working with other neutral counrties at trying to get an immediate, permanent ceasefire and peace talks underway”.
The IAWM is supporting the ‘Work for Peace, Not for War, Defend Irish Neutrality’ protest organised by the Communist Party of Ireland and supported by various anti-war and peace groups at the Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Iveagh House, 80 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 at 1pm on Tuesday, 22nd August.
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Contact:
Jim Roche, PRO Steering Committee, IAWM, Tel. 087 6472737
Sara O Rourke, Chair Steering Committee, IAWM, Tel. 087 6024821
Mark Price, Co-chair Steering Committee, IAWM, Tel. 086 345 4332
Marnie Holborow, Member, Steering Committee, IAWM, Tel. 087 9889244
Michael Youlton, Steering Committee, IAWM, Tel. 086 8159487
Glenda Cimino, Steering Committee IAWM, Tel. 086 124 9456
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