Sir, - I write in support of the comments made by the Rt Rev Christopher Dillon at the Remembrance Service in St Patrick's Cathedral. He correctly highlighted the shameful indifference shown towards the thousands of brave Irishmen and women who fought and died to keep the world free from fascism. The defeat of Hitler, in which Irish men and women played a significant role, brought about stability in Europe and the birth of the European Community, from which Ireland is a major beneficiary.
It is sickening the way in which successive Governments have claimed credit for getting funds from Europe and have lectured us on the benefits of being good Europeans, while at the same time ignoring the brave Irishmen and women who fought to keep Europe free from fascism.
At the end of the second World War, those who fought in different armies returned to their homelands and were acclaimed as heroes - everywhere, that is except Ireland, where men and women who were prepared to give up their lives and to keep this country free from fascism, were ignored and this continues to this day. Since the ending of the second World War many Governments have issued apologies for a variety of reasons to those who suffered. The time has come for an Irish Government to apologise to the families of the dead and to the survivors for the way in which they were treated and to give due recognition for their sacrifices. Yours, etc.,
Terry Delany, Castle Lawns, Tallaght, Dublin 24.