As a mother of two young boys in Cork, I believe our community should be a cradle of safety and hope, not a silent partner to violence that devastates children's lives abroad. It fills me with shame and horror to know that our county hosts Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of the American weapons giant Raytheon (RTX). Raytheon is a principal supplier to the Israeli military, providing missiles and systems used in a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, including countless children.

Raytheon, through Collins Aerospace, directly contributes to conflicts where innocent lives are lost, especially those of children who deserve peace and security, not fear and destruction. Its presence in Cork signifies tacit approval of these horrific acts and goes against Ireland’s proud tradition of neutrality and peacekeeping.