Sir, – As the centenary of 1916 draws closer, many events are being planned by different groups.
The Government, by not clarifying its plans for commemoration, have left groups like ours in a limbo, where we cannot even decide a date that does not clash with the national commemoration.
I am chairman of the Fingal Old IRA, an association set up in the 1940s to help members of the 5th Battalion IRA, the Fingal Brigade.
In previous years our association has been sidelined, and, given that the most successful engagement of the Rising took place in Ashbourne, the members of the Fingal Brigade deserve more recognition.
Three members of the Fingal Brigade died in Easter Week, including John Crenigan of Roganstown and Thomas Rafferty of Lusk. A call had come from the GPO for some volunteers and James Crenigan, brother of John and Peter Wilson from Swords were two of those who went into town. They were sent to the Mendicity Institute and it was there that Peter Wilson lost his life.
From these simple facts, you can see why the Fingal Old IRA commemoration committee is anxious to put in place a programme of events to honour the members of the brigade.
Taoiseach, Minister Humphreys, is it a State secret what the government plans to do? – Yours, etc,
NOEL McALLISTER,
Chairman,
Fingal Old IRA,
Swords,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Regarding the inclusion, approval or whatever of the relatives of the 1916 rebels in events marking the centenary, didn’t their forebears fight to get rid of the hereditary principle? – Yours, etc,
DAVID CLARKE,
Edinburgh.