Five injured Ukrainian soldiers airlifted to Ireland for treatment

Two of the soldiers are being treated at Cork University Hospital

Five Ukrainian soldiers wounded in the war against Russia are being treated in Ireland after being airlifted here during the weekend.

Three were flown into Dublin yesterday afternoon while two others arrived on Friday. The men have varying degrees of injury, including gunshot injuries.

Two were taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, two to Cork University Hospital and one to University Hospital Galway.

It is understood the five were taken from field hospitals to hospitals in the Ukraine in recent days, before being transferred to Poland to be flown to Ireland.

This is the first time that military casualties have been brought to Ireland from the war in Ukraine.

The transfers were coordinated by the European Union with the Health Service Executive and the National Ambulance Service, under the auspices of the European Disaster Relief Project. 

Mattie McGrath said the arrival of the soldiers in Ireland amounted to 'taking sides in the war'. File Picture: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie

The project was set up in 2001 to provide support between European countries when individual health services are overwhelmed.

“While we have to act in a humanitarian way, this is clearly taking sides in the war,” said Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who accused the government of “pushing and pushing and pushing” at Ireland’s neutrality.

“This is a step too far.” 

However, Independent TD and former soldier Cathal Berry welcomed the move.

“Thousands of Irish citizens travel abroad for medical treatment every year under the EU Cross Border Directive," he said.

"Also, dozens of Irish doctors have trained in medical schools in Ukraine in recent years and are now working in the HSE. 

"Our Air Corps are already flying premature and critically ill Ukrainian babies to Ireland where we have some spare neo-natal intensive care capacity. 

"It’s only right and proper that we look after wounded people - whether soldier or civilian - from Putin’s unprovoked, brutal and completely unnecessary war in Ukraine.”