Michael Healy Rae-owned firm linked to guesthouse accommodating Ukrainians records bumper profits of over €465,000
A Government Minister for State, Michael Healy Rae TD (Ind) owned property management firm linked to the Kerry TD's Rosemont guesthouse accommodating Ukrainians recorded bumper post tax profits of €465,860 in 2023.
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
'To say I saw appalling stuff is an understatement': Irish soldier on fighting on Ukraine's frontline
Despite the horrors witnessed while fighting the Russians on the Ukrainian frontline and suffering from post-traumatic strees, a former Irish soldier says he is actively considering returning to the warzone to fight once more with his Ukrainian colleagues. Peter*, a single man who is in his 30s and comes from the south of Ireland, served with the Defence Forces for five years. He decided to travel to Ukraine shortly after the Russian invasion in 2022 and returned home a year later. However, he told the Irish Examiner he considering going back again to help, like another former Defence Forces veteran has recently done. 'My initial decision was to defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and I arrived there a couple of days after the invasion. Recruits take a physiological adaptation training near frontline close to Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday. 'Initially my family were supportive, but were fairly worried. At the start, it was a bit of an unknown. If I'd had gone out later, the conditions of the war would have been more apparent and my family would have worried even more,' Peter said. While he was able to keep in contact with home while fighting in Ukraine, this contact was kept to a minimum, and was essentially limited to letting them know that he was still alive. This was done through various communication channels, but Peter said he was not prepared to reveal them in order to protect others still out there who are in contact with their relatives. He was aware of other Irish people serving with the Ukrainians — although none were in his unit. Peter was posted to a special forces unit which contained a mixture of Ukrainian special forces and airborne personnel. 'I was the only non-Ukrainian in that unit. Their English was very good so communication was not an issue,' he said. Initially, he was based in Kyiv, but after two months was posted to the frontline between Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city, and Donetsk. 'To say I saw appalling stuff is an understatement. It got gradually worse as the war went on as there was heavier and heavier combat. Quite a few of my friends died,' he said. All the training he did with the Defence Forces could never have prepared him for what he saw. He said British and American soldiers he met out there, and who had fought for their countries in Iraq and Afghanistan, said it was 'even more brutal in Ukraine than those places". Sometimes, Peter and his comrades were less than 40 m from the Russian lines. The enemy would shout out 'threats of what was coming to us' and call on them to surrender. He was injured once and had to spend a week in hospital. There were times when combat didn't stop, and exhausted soldiers were forced to fight for days without any sleep. 'It was sometimes 24/7 and you would be lucky if you might get an hour to nod off. Once, there were three days of constant combat. The adrenaline would be pumping, the bullets flying and the artillery keeping you awake. You had a sense of duty to your comrades. Anyway, if you fell asleep you were dead,' he said. He managed to secure some leave and returned to Ireland when his unit was stood down for rest. 'To say we were combat fatigued would be an understatement,' he added. Peter is still seriously considering going back to Ukraine because of a 'sense of duty' to those of his comrades left behind who are still fighting. A soldier prepares a 120mm mortar to fire towards Russian army positions near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, last month. Picture: Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP And he readily admitted reports that the Russians are amassing 50,000 troops for a further push into the country 'could be a trigger to go back'. The Russians are currently building up troop numbers near Ukraine's northern Sumy region for what observers believe could be a planned summer offensive. Peter said he was constantly keeping himself updated and is in touch with comrades still fighting with his unit. Again, for security reasons, he won't divulge how this communication is happening. Any decision he makes to return to Ukraine may well be 'spontaneous', but if the Russians launch a summer offensive, he could well go back to help his comrades, a number of whom are close friends. He said one of these men has a wife who has come to Ireland to seek safety from the constant threat of a Russian missile attack. In terms of peace, Peter says while the outcome is 'unpredictable' unfortunately, it looks likely that Ukraine will have to cede some of its territory to the Russian invaders. In terms of dealing with his post-traumatic stress, he is thankful for the charity, ONE, which helps former Defence Forces personnel. 'I was quite reluctant to seek help initially. A mutual friend said I could do with some support and gave me the relevant contacts (with ONE). The friend realised I needed help. Some friends and family members said there were certain indications. I had anger issues, felt desensitised, and isolated when I came home,' he said. Peter is urging others who have returned from the frontline to contact ONE for help. 'I was unaware and then somewhat reluctant,' he said. He was initially advised to contact a GP, but said it was extremely hard to relate military experiences to a "civilian" who has never experienced them. 'You get cut off from reality and 'civies' wouldn't have a clue what you went through,' he added. (not his real name*) 'They all say they want to return to the frontline' Audra Larkin, charity ONE's veteran support officer, aaid she was currently offering support to three former Defence Forces personnel who have returned home from fighting in Ukraine. Audra Larkin, who is one of six ONE veteran support officers based around the country, said she was currently offering support to three former Defence Forces personnel who have returned home from fighting in Ukraine. Ms Larkin told the Irish Examiner she was aware of another former soldier she supported in her role with the charity who has since returned to Ukraine to continue fighting invading Russian forces. Those who have served in Ukraine continuously talk about 'the buddies' they have left behind and feel guilty for leaving them, according to Ms Larkin. 'They have said they would all go back tomorrow. They are all open about this. We outline the risks and possible consequences of doing this, but there is an overwhelming camaraderie,' she said. Ms Larkin said one of the Defence Forces' veterans she helped to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder returned to Ukraine last January. He is only in his 20s. It is understood he lost one of his friends in the fighting and was determined to return, despite the obvious risks. 'He felt a deep commitment to his comrades. This person felt guilty not being with them. This is part of a soldier's mind,' she said. She said the soldiers' desire to return to the frontline comes despite the 'harrowing stories' about what's happening in the brutal war in Ukraine, which has been raging since the Russian invasion of February 2022. She also said the charity she works with, ONE, started to see the 'emergence' of returning Irish fighters from Ukraine seeking counselling support towards the end of last year. Ms Larkin said she knew from those she was currently helping that there are more ex-members of the Defence Forces who have fought in Ukraine but have not approached ONE for help. 'We are urging them to just reach out [to us]. They will receive professional help from staff who will deal with them in the strictest confidence,' she said. Ms Larkin said it was important former soldiers are able to seek help from people who have knowledge of the military, with military backgrounds, and who can operate with their "shared language". Ms Larkin, who has many years of experience within the Defence Forces, said her background was hugely important in helping her understanding of veterans' needs. 'I've been in the Defence Forces my whole life. I was born into the Defence Forces. I grew up in the Defence Forces." As well as serving oversees herself, she also worked in addiction services. She joined ONE from private practice, having gained experience there in helping combat veterans deal with post-traumatic stress. Irish who died fighting in Ukraine A number of Irish citizens have died while fighting for Ukraine. The list of fatalities includes a former member of the elite Army Ranger Wing (ARW)) who was killed on September 19 while fighting alongside Ukrainian Special Forces. Robert Deegan, from Co Kildare, was killed while fighting in Ukraine. Robert Deegan was 29 and from Newbridge, Co Kildare. He had joined the fight shortly after the 2022 Russian invasion. He lost an eye while serving with Ukraine's Special Forces Unit that year. His injury was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) but once he recovered, he went back to fight alongside his Ukrainian comrades — going against advice from some family and friends. He was said to be 'laser-focused' on returning to Ukraine and 'deeply committed' to the Ukrainian cause. The highly-skilled soldier had served not only in the much-vaunted Ranger Wing, but was also involved in the Engineers Unit of the Defence Forces Training Centre. After his death, his family released a statement saying he died 'like a warrior', protecting his comrades and he had made "the ultimate sacrifice while staying true to his principles and character'. On the day he died he continued to fight on in the face of a Russian onslaught in order to provide cover for his colleagues' retreat. As a younger man, he was a champion cyclist who represented Ireland, and some of his family are understood to have had a long history of service with the Defence Forces. In December 2023, dual Irish-American citizen Graham Dale, aged 45, originally from Raheny in North Dublin, was killed while fighting for the Ukrainians. He had previously fought with the US Marines in Iraq and moved permanently to Dublin in 2020. Dale had joined the US Marines following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Finbar Cafferkey, from Achill, Co Mayo, was killed while battling Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk Oblas in April 2023. Finbar Cafferkey, aged 46, from Achill, Co Mayo, was killed while battling Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk Oblas in April 2023. Part of the Shell to Sea campiagn in the 2000s, he had previous combat experience in Syria helping Kurdish militia fight Islamic State insurgents. Rory Mason, 23, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, died while fighting for Ukraine's International Legion in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border in October 2022. Irish man Rory Mason was killed in action in Ukraine. His father, Rob, told the BBC: "Though we are deeply saddened at his death, we are enormously proud of his courage and determination and his selflessness in immediately enlisting to support Ukraine." "Rory was never political but he had a deep sense of right and wrong and an inability to turn the other way in the face of injustice. "Those who fought alongside Rory speak of a truly brave and courageous man who could have left at any time but chose not to. In August 2024, Alex Ryzhuk, aged 20, from Rathmines, Dublin — a drone operator — was also killed fighting for the Ukrainians. The youngest of the Irish to die fighting in Ukraine, he was born in Dublin to Ukrainian parents. News about rape and torture by Russian troops in the Ukrainian city Bucha in April 2022, as well as the deaths of relatives and friends fighting in the war are understood to what motivated Alex to leave Dublin and travel to the frontlines early in 2023.
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Putin plotting to blitz Ukraine with ‘vicious & unrelenting' revenge strike in days after Op Spiderweb, US insiders warn
PUTIN is preparing a "huge, vicious and unrelenting" revenge assault on Ukraine, US insiders have warned. Officials said the Kremlin's full-scale retaliation for Advertisement 12 Western officials have warned that Vladimir Putin is plotting a major revenge assault on Ukraine Credit: AFP 12 Fire and smoke rise from the site where a Russian missile struck a residential area in Kharkiv on Saturday Credit: AP 12 Officials say the strikes could also aim symbolic Ukrainian targets 12 Footage of Operation Spiderweb showed Russian planes left burning on the runway The revenge strike will be "asymmetrical" and likely to feature a mix of drones and missiles aimed at symbolic Ukrainian targets - not just military assets, one US official told Reuters. Another said the operation could begin within days. A senior Western diplomat added: "It will be huge, vicious and unrelenting. "But the Ukrainians are brave people." Advertisement Read more on the Ukraine War On Friday, Russia's Defense Ministry called it a response to "terrorist acts" by Ukraine - but insiders say the real retaliation is still being assembled behind the scenes. US officials believe the SBU — Ukraine's security service — may be directly targeted in the revenge strike. Carnegie Endowment analyst Michael Kofman told Reuters: "Most likely, they will attempt to retaliate against (SBU) headquarters, or other regional intelligence administration buildings. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive Exclusive "In general, Russia's ability to substantially escalate strikes from what they are already doing — and attempting to do over the past month — is quite constrained." Putin plotting 'final killer offensive' to WIN Ukraine war despite Russian losses nearing 1 MILLION 12 PUTIN'S $7bn HUMILIATION The looming storm follows Operation Spiderweb - Ukraine's most daring covert strike yet. It was led personally by spy chief Vasyl Malyuk under the direct orders of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Advertisement Over 117 kamikaze drones were launched from hidden mobile units disguised as everyday cargo trucks, slipped undetected into Russian territory. The strikes hit four strategic bases - Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo — torching aircraft capable of launching nuclear warheads. Ukrainian officials say 41 planes were destroyed or damaged. Advertisement US intelligence puts the figure closer to 20, with at least 10 completely destroyed - still a staggering blow to Russia's long-range bomber fleet. The $7billion damage, inflicted with zero boots on the ground, has left the Kremlin tyrant furious and determined to reassert its military dominance. 12 The SBU released new footage of the covert operation on Saturday Credit: Twitter 12 It showed a drone lifting off from what appears to be a transport vehicle before targeting Putin's bomber planes Advertisement 'IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY' President Donald Trump revealed this week that he spoke directly with Putin on Wednesday. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Russian despot told him Speaking to reporters later, Trump added: "It's probably not going to be pretty. I don't like it. "I said: 'Don't do it. You shouldn't do it. You should stop it.' Advertisement "But, again, there's a lot of hatred." Meanwhile, Russia's propaganda machine is framing the war as existential. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared Friday: "This is about the future of our children, of our country." 12 A view of destruction following the two-hour Russian attack on Kharkiv on Saturday Credit: Getty Advertisement 12 A man stands amid rubble in destroyed house at residential district after Russian shelling in Kharkiv Credit: Getty BLITZ ALREADY UNDERWAY? While officials say the major strike is still to come, Ukraine is already reeling from a brutal few days of missile and drone attacks. On Friday, 400 drones and 45 missiles rained down on cities across the country. In Kyiv, explosions lit up the night sky near the Mother Ukraine monument. Advertisement A fire tore through the 11th floor of a residential block in Solomyanskyi, and emergency crews rushed to save civilians trapped inside. Overnight into Saturday, 'We have a lot of damage,' Kharkiv's mayor Ihor Terekhov said. At least 18 apartment buildings and 13 homes were hit, with more strikes reported in Donetsk, Dnipro, Ternopil, and Odesa. Advertisement Ukraine's Air Force said it shot down 174 out of 206 drones and nine missiles overnight. 12 Smoke billowing from a fire burning in a building after an airstrike in Kharkiv on Saturday Credit: EPA 12 Explosion is seen after Russian air strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday SUMMER OFFENSIVE BREWING Western analysts say Mad Vlad is not just seeking revenge - but a breakthrough. Advertisement Reports from Ukrainian intelligence suggest up to 125,000 troops are massing near the Sumy and Kharkiv frontiers, with The offensive is expected to focus on Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, and Pokrovsk in the Donbas - with plans to encircle key cities rather than slug it out street by street. Military analyst Konrad Muzyka told "Company-size assaults of 50 to 100 men hardly ever happen anymore." Advertisement But Ukraine, armed with drones and Western weapons, isn't backing down. Zelensky warned this week: "Even after all of Russia's horrific attacks, he is reportedly preparing yet more so-called 'responses.' "With every new strike, with every delay of diplomacy, Russia is giving the finger to the entire world." 12 Advertisement
Agriland
2 days ago
- Agriland
How farmers are going green with sustainability-linked loans
Bank of Ireland's Enviroflex sustainability-linked loans are helping farmers in Munster make their farms more environmentally friendly, according to regional agricultural development manager, Pat Byrnes, Recognising the distinctive challenges farmers face, Bank of Ireland developed Enviroflex, a sustainability-linked loan that supports and rewards farmers who implement sustainable actions on their farms through discounted interest rates. Byrnes explained how Bank of Ireland partners with local dairy co-ops and their sustainability programmes. He said the Enviroflex loan rewards farmers via discounted interest rates when they adopt measures on their farms that reduce their environmental footprint – i.e., reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving biodiversity, water quality, and animal welfare. Financing sustainability efforts Byrnes outlined that there has been significant interest in the loan product, with over €40 million-worth of applications received to date. He said that while the average size loan is €55,000, the loans range in size from €10,000 to €500,000. Farmers are using the loans for a range of purposes, from installing solar panels to adding additional slurry storage, with many taking advantage of the current Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). Source: Bank of Ireland Byrnes said: 'For example, last year we supported a dairy farmer in Co. Limerick who was looking to upgrade his milking parlour, 'The farmer had expanded from 60 to 120 cows and the parlour was 30-years-old. He was a member of Kerry Evolve, was milk recording, and using protected urea along with multi species swards. 'We provided a €100,000 facility under Enviroflex over a seven-year term to this farmer. 'The farmer was delighted as the rate was very competitive. The farmer was already getting an additional sustainability payment from Kerry,' Byrnes said. By taking part in the Evolve scheme, the farmer reduced the carbon footprint of the farm over the past number of years. He is delighted to get an additional benefit from the Kerry Evolve scheme by availing of lower cost finance from Bank of Ireland. Source: Bank of Ireland Another example was where a dairy farmer supplying Kerry Dairy Ireland with land at both sides of a public road decided to build an underpass under the road. He was approved for a €60,000 loan through Enviroflex over a five-year period to help fund the underpass. According to Byrnes, the farmer is delighted he built the underpass, as his cows have benefitted by having to spend an hour less each day standing in the yard after milking . The farmer himself also has more peace of mind from a safety perspective, as the cows are no longer on the road and he has saved an hour each day herding the cows across the road. Byrnes also noted that he is seeing a lot of interest in farmers investing in solar panels. For example, a dairy farmer in Clare who had high electricity bills decided to install solar panels on his shed this year. He availed of a €20,000 loan over three years under Enviroflex through Kerry Dairy Ireland. 'He told me recently his electricity bills have reduced significantly this spring and he has hot water at all times which is vital for parlour hygiene. He reckons the solar panels will pay for themselves in less than three years,' Byrnes said. Benefits for farmers The agricultural development manager outlines that water quality and nutrient management are top of mind with many of the farmers in his area. He said a farmer in north Co. Cork built an additional slatted cubicle shed last year, had borrowed €120,000 over seven years from Bank of Ireland under Enviroflex, as a supplier to North Cork Creameries. 'This farmer is now making much better use of slurry by spreading it at appropriate times and given that slurry is an important nutrient, he needs to spread less artificial fertiliser which is saving him money' Byrne added. Byrnes explains that the risk of water pollution is also reduced for this farmer, who no longer has to worry about having to spread slurry because tanks are full, especially when weather conditions are not suitable. For farmers who are interested in availing of Enviroflex, Byrnes outlines that they must first talk to their co-op to ensure they are eligible. They can then apply online or enquire in their local Bank of Ireland branch. Currently, Enviroflex is available to over 95% of dairy farmers who participate in a co-op sustainability scheme, with 12 co-ops now supporting the rollout across the dairy sector. The loans have also recently been made available to tillage farmers via Irish Distillers. Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Over 18s only. Warning: The cost of your repayments may increase. Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your credit facility agreement, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
