Island of Ireland in ‘absolutely critical position’ amid tensions with Russia

Brigadier Piers Ashfield at the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove in Co Antrim (Rebecca Black/PA) -

The island of Ireland is in an “absolutely critical position” amid tensions with Russia, the joint military commander in Northern Ireland has said.

Brigadier Piers Ashfield was speaking as the RAF brought a P-8 Poseidon from Lossiemouth in Scotland to the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove in Co Antrim last week.