We already paid the ultimate price in Crimea — we must not do so again

WE have been here before.

The Crimea, today described as the “flashpoint” of the Ukraine crisis, was a “flashpoint” in the 19th century that claimed 800,000 lives.

When I say “we” I mean we, the Irish. Thirty-thousand Irish men lost their lives in the Crimean War (1853-1856) between Britain and Russia. A victory banquet was held in Dublin in 1856 for 5,000 guests.