Coveney: Ireland 'uncomfortable' with spending money to send arms to Ukraine

Ireland will instead spend €9m on 'non-lethal support'

Ukrainian soldiers inspect a damaged military vehicle after fighting in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Picture: AP/Marienko Andrew

Ireland is "uncomfortable" spending money to buy arms to support Ukrainian forces but will still pay €9m to fund non-lethal support, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said.

Mr Coveney said the European Union's €500m package to support Ukrainian military efforts was the right thing to do, but said Ireland's contribution would go to "defensive purchases" like helmets and logistical items such as fuel.