Irish trucks and mine-sweeping robots donated to Ukraine

THIRTY four ex-Defence Forces vehicles and three de-mining robots have been donated by Ireland to Ukraine, the Defence Minister Simon Harris said.

- BY OWEN CONLON

The donations were made under the European Peace Facility (EPF), a European Union financing mechanism for peace-building projects, and are currently in Poland, where they will be transferred onward to Ukraine.

The vehicles were being replaced by the Defence Forces and the donation will have no impact on army operations.

However, the Department said an application for partial reimbursement of their value will be made to the EPF.

The vehicles comprise of three Mercedes ambulances, two Ford Transit vans, five Scania 8x8 DROPS trucks, eight Ford Transit minibuses and 16 double cab Ford Rangers.