The widespread indifference to our own defence has continued in spite of clear evidence that we are vulnerable to attack from powers hostile to the European Union and western democracy. File photograph: Alan Betson A diplomat from an eastern European country remarked to me recently that he could understand Irish neutrality, even though he didn’t like it. But what he found incomprehensible was the unwillingness of Irish people to take any serious interest in defending themselves. The widespread indifference to our own defence has continued in spite of clear evidence in recent years that we are vulnerable to attack from…