Convoy carrying medical and humanitarian aid leaves Trim for Ukraine

By Eoin Ryan

A 16-vehicle convoy departed Trim for Ukraine early this afternoon carrying much much needed medical and humanitarian supplies.

The convoy left the Stockhouse restaurant, Trim, just before 1pm with 4x4s, an ambulance and minibus stocked with supplies and those caught up in the conflict.

Owner of Stockhouse restaurant and convoy organiser, Michael Hughes said: “We are going over there to do our little bit” before the seventh convoy from Trim left to catch the ferry.

Several vehicles sent over have already been destroyed in the conflict and Michael Hughes said a vehicle brought on a previous convoy was destroyed after ramming into a drone that was trying to attack Ukrainian soldiers. The drone exploded, but the driver survived and saved his fellow soldiers in the process.

“Well done to everybody that has contributed,” said Senator Linda Nelson Murray before the convoy departed.

“It means a huge amount to people over there and it represents us well, it really does, because most of us are the welcoming community and we are the giving community. It is what we have always been.”

Hughes said another convoy is being planned for next September and hopes it will be the last as “every convoy we do we are hoping it is the last”.

More in Tuesday's paper.