Irish troops would “100%” want to deploy on “dangerous” peacekeeping missions to Ukraine, a former Army officer has claimed. 

Earlier this year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland would consider deploying members of the Defence Forces to Ukraine following a peace agreement with Russia. 

The Government has also said it will support Ukraine’s application for EU membership. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, former Army officer and independent TD Cathal Berry argued that it is Ireland’s “vital national interest” for there to be a sustainable peace in Ukraine. 

“If Ireland wants peace on our continent, we have to contribute to it,” he said. 

“Peace won’t just happen on its own, you have to actually go out and make it. 

“Ireland has a lot of expertise as well in relation to peacekeeping; so, for the last 50, 60 years we’ve troops all over the world. 

“So, we’ve a huge amount of expertise in relation to the monitoring of ceasefires.” 

The Armed Forces of Ukraine. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Dr Berry continued that there are a number of areas in which Irish troops had experience that could be useful in Ukraine. 

“There’s great expertise on this island in relation to bomb disposal,” he said. 

“That’s probably the two main areas if we do deploy to Ukraine; mine clearance, bomb disposal and a training mission as well. 

“So, that’s probably where Ireland’s focus would be.” 

A Ukrainian soldier inspects the wreckage of a destroyed Russian armored column on a road in Bucha, a suburb just north of the Capital, Kyiv. Picture by: Matthew Hatcher/SOPA Images/Sipa USA.

Given many Irish troops are already deployed to Lebanon on peacekeeping missions, Dr Berry said any Irish contribution would involve only a “very small” number of troops.

Despite this, he believes “100%” that the Irish Army would want to be deployed to Ukraine. 

“Yes, it’s dangerous,” he said. 

“Peacekeeping is always dangerous - but the war continuing is far more dangerous. 

“So, unfortunately, it’s a Hobson’s choice; do we want the war to continue and escalate further geographically and in intensity? 

“Or do we want to do our bit to stop it?” 

The Russian Embassay has been sharply critical of the idea that Irish troops could be sent to Ukraine, arguing that Ireland has become a "NATO appendage".

Main image: An Irish Defence Forces arm patch of a soldier. Picture by: Andy Gibson / Alamy Stock Photo.