The Irish Government finally made the decision to pardon around 5,000 Irish soldiers who deserted the Irish army to go and fight for the British in World War II.
It’s been seventy years since World War II started and only now have Irish soldiers finally been given a pardon for leaving the Irish Army to go and fight for the British against Nazi Germany.
Yesterday, Justice and Defence Minister Alan Shatter apologised to the former troops, around 100 of them are thought to be alive today. Back in the day, these men were blacklisted by the state and were refused state jobs, a military pension and they were widely discriminated by the rest of society.
Speaking yesterday, Minister Shatter said that people’s understanding of history has matured and that it was time for forgiveness and understanding.
“On behalf of the State, the Government apologises for the manner in which those members of the Defence Forces who left to fight on the Allied side during World War II, 1939 to 1945, were treated after the war by the State.
“The Government recognises the value and importance of their military contribution to the Allied victory and will introduce legislation to grant a pardon and amnesty to those who absented themselves from the Defence Forces without leave or permission to fight on the Allied side.”
At least they’re finally getting what they deserve.
