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More pressing matters at hand than commemorating enforcers of British rule – Fitzmaurice

By January 6, 2020No Comments

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has criticised the Government’s decision to commemorate members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Black and Tans later this month.

As part of the State programme to mark the decade of centenaries, a commemoration event is scheduled to take place at Dublin castle on January 17th, 2020.

Speaking on the matter, Fitzmaurice said: “This Government would serve the people of Ireland better by tackling issues such as overcrowding in hospitals rather than commemorating enforcers of British rule who terrorised Irish people.

“We have a crisis in the housing sector and the health sector is a shambles, but yet this Government – in all its wisdom – deems this commemoration necessary.

“It9 is up to the British Government to commemorate these individuals – as it was for them that they served.

“Why is it that Ireland must commemorate those who acted as oppressors and committed atrocities on countless communities across this country?

“It is worth noting that the War of Independence only took place a 100 years ago. Most families only have to go back a generation or two to recount stories of terrible acts committed by the likes of the RIC and the Black and Tans.

“While descendants of those who served in these British organisations may wish to commemorate their family members, that is totally up to them and no one can take that right away from them.

“But a widescale commemoration of all of those members is uncalled for and it shows a lack of empathy to Irish people who lost family members at the hands of the RIC, DMP, the Black and Tans and other auxiliary forces.

“This Government needs to get its priorities in order, rather than push ahead with another scheme to secure a photo opportunity for its senior figures,” Fitzmaurice concluded.

Michael Fitzmaurice 086-1914565