An incredible 25 trucks departed from Dublin Port earlier today, carrying 500 tonnes of aid for Ukraine as truckers praised the "huge generosity" of the Irish public by donating food, medical aid and more.
The largest aid convoy to ever leave the country was organised by "Aid for Ireland" with trucks provided by transport companies from across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The lorries departed on an Irish Ferries boat and are expected to reach the Ukrainian/Polish border by the end of next week.
The companies involved in the convoy are:
- Caulfields Transport
- Hendricks European
- Virginia International Logistics
- DSV
- JMC Vantrans
- McCulla Transport
- Derry Transport
- Blair European Transport.
Read more: RTE Liveline listeners hear tearful Dublin mum plead with son not to go to war-torn Ukraine
Speaking to Dublin Live, OOHpod delivery service CEO John Tuohy said that many of the drivers and companies are giving their time free of charge.
He said: "It's a huge logistics effort, people are so generous with their donations, school kids having collections at schools, sports halls right up to companies donating food, medical supplies.
"Most of these guys are providing these services free of charge, many of the drivers are providing their own time free of charge.
"And to just give a sort of level of commitment, these trucks won't arrive in Poland until next Friday so it's a truck gone for the better part of two weeks and the driver as well."
It is understood that a lot of the aid will stay in Poland to help refugees crossing over from Ukraine, and more of the aid will go the depots with Ukrainian truckers picking it up.
Mr Tohy explained: "The main organiser is Tommy Byrne who is on the ground in Poland and he will direct them where they've to go and from there the agencies coordinating the aid will get the aid to where it is needed most.
Mr Tuohy said that such a collaborative effort has not been seen in Ireland since Live Aid in 1985.
He said: "I don't think I've seen such a collaborative wave of generosity since Live Aid. All over the island of Ireland people didn't ask questions, they just said 'what can we do'?"
Next week more lorries are expected to also make the journey over to Poland to transport the donated aid supplies.
Read more: Dublin Port: Ireland's largest ever aid convoy to leave today destined for Ukraine
Read more: Ukraine war: Everything you need to know about hosting refugees
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