A chara, – Conor Gallagher’s revelation that the Government has directed Irish troops to provide weapons training to the Ukrainian armed forces is alarming (“Irish troops to provide weapons training to Ukraine despite Government’s ‘non-lethal’ assistance pledge”, News, August 18th). Until now, Government aid to Ukraine has been described as “humanitarian” and “non-lethal”, even where the meaning of those words was stretched to breaking point with regard to the provision of flak jackets (worn by soldiers in combat) and mine-clearance training (with the trained sappers currently clearing mines at the head of the Ukrainian counter-offensive). But for Irish Defence Forces personnel to train Ukrainian soldiers how to shoot would be an egregious and incontrovertible breach of neutrality. It beggars belief that the Green Party has agreed to this. – Is mise,
DOMINIC CARROLL,
Ardfield,
Co Cork.