MLAs Welcome Irish Soldiers' Pardon

Northern Ireland's political parties have welcomed news that the Irish government is to pardon the soldiers who left the Irish Army to join British forces in World War II.

The Republic remained neutral in the conflict, and those who left to fight for the Allies were often considered in Irish society as deserters, facing discrimination upon their return and often struggling to find employment.

But now Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter is to issue a pardon to those Irishmen who left to fight in Europe.

Northern Ireland Justice Minister and Alliance leader David Ford said the announcement "recognises that those who left the Irish Free State forces to join the fight against fascism and tyranny were not deserters in the usual sense of the term. These men who fought bravely and with honour to rid Europe of fascism should have been commended instead of condemned.

"This legislation before the Dail recognises the discriminations they faced when they returned to Ireland following the Emergency."

North Down DUP MLA Peter Weir proposed a motion on the issue in the Assembly on 23 January 2012, which received cross-party support.

He said: "This announcement by the Irish government has ensured that an historic injustice has been put right. These were thousands of Irish soldiers who stepped forward to fight against fascism and for the freedom of Europe.

"Around 5,000 soldiers were formally dismissed from the Irish Army for having served with the British but upon their return many were then denied employment and welfare which even resulted in starvation orders and families going hungry.

"It is clear that progress has been made in relations between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, and much of that must be down to the impact made by Her Majesty the Queen on her historic visit to the Republic."

SDLP Councillor Pat McCarthy remarked: "This is a period in our shared history in which, despite Ireland’s neutrality between 1939-1945, Irish people fought against the worst and most shocking form of fascism.

"Nazism was a real evil and something which thousands of Irish soldiers wanted to fight against. That they were labelled deserters rather than heroes on their return is shameful.

"Today’s apology is welcome and is recognition, albeit late of the outstanding and courageous service of Irish soldiers during the Second World War."

Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland said: "Last year I described the treatment of these brave men as a stain on the integrity of the Republic of Ireland and one that should be removed forthwith.

"Once again I salute those who have led the campaign to recognise the bravery of the almost 5,000 Irishmen from the South who left the Irish Defence Forces to join the Allies and help save Europe. They were not traitors, they were heroes, and I welcome the fact that the Republic as a State now formally recognises that fact.

"I trust that the apology and pardon from the current Dublin Government will be of some comfort to the veterans and their families. I salute their memory."

(IT/CD)