Karim A. A. Khan QC has appealed to all state parties to the ICC to provide assistance in order to address the urgent resource needs of his office following the commencement of a formal investigation into the situation in Ukraine, which has significantly increased the prosecutor’s workload.

Foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said: “Ireland is a leading supporter of the International Criminal Court and was one of the 41 states to refer the situation in Ukraine to the Court earlier this month. I’m very pleased to be able to announce today a voluntary contribution to the Office of the Prosecutor of €150,000.

“This money will be used to provide new technology and equipment for investigations, provide enhanced psycho-social support to witnesses and survivors, and enhance specialised capacity with respect to investigation of sexual and gender based violence and crimes against children.

“The devastating reports of attacks by Russian forces against Ukrainian urban centres, medical facilities and civilians fleeing the conflict are a powerful reminder of the importance of having a properly resourced international criminal justice system. The independent and impartial functioning of the ICC prosecutor stands squarely in the centre of this system.”