From Dunkineely to the Ukraine border - pub landlord's humanitarian mission
Donations of essential goods are currently being accepted
If there has been any glimmer of light in the awful situation in Ukraine, it has to be the humanitarian response to the millions of people forced to flee their homes.
People are arriving countries bordering Ukraine with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.
The people of Donegal have risen to the call to help those refugees, and a number of aid trucks have already left the county.
A pub landlord in Dunkineely is currently preparing for an aid mission, along with a number of local volunteers.
Damien McIntyre is known by many as the landlord at Mac’s Bar and is an active member of the community.
He said on his gofundmepage Damien Support & Supplies for Ukraine: On Monday, March 21 myself and four local volunteers will drive from Dunkineely in County Donegal to Kosice on the Slovakian Ukrainian border. It is one of the main crossings out of Ukraine.
"We will bring two large van loads of bring humanitarian aid - medical, first aid and sanitary supplies for the Ukrainian people affected by the ongoing war. These people have been displaced from their homes and families and are in dire need of any support they can receive.
"We have been asked by Dermot Hamilton to travel to this area with all the supplies which have kindly been donated by various businesses and local people. He is a humanitarian aid worker for over six years and is working tirelessly on the front line in this area. While we are there we will help on the front line as the workers are currently doing over 20 hour days.
"We have set up this Go Fund me page to help cover the cost of our diesel expenses and boat fares. Any other money received will be donated evenly to the Irish Red Cross and the organisation that Dermot works with.
"We want to help these poor people of Ukraine whose lives have been torn apart by this awful devastation. Any donation will be gratefully appreciated."