Cathal Barry
Shatter’s ‘unjust’ decision deeply offends families
Families of those who fought and died in the cause of Irish freedom have appealed to the Government to lift a controversial ban on members of the Defence Forces participating in a commemoration because it has a religious element.
This year’s Mass to commemorate the sacrifice of those who fought during the 1916 Easter Rising is due to be held next week on May 7 to mark the 98th anniversary. However, Minister for Defence Alan Shatter has insisted that members of the Defence Forces cannot attend the Mass to render military honours.
Cara O’Neill, whose grandmother May Gibney was in the GPO during Easter week 1916, told The Irish Catholic that the families of those who fought for Irish freedom are “deeply offended by the decision and at a loss as to the justification for it”.
Ms O’Neill, who regularly attends the annual event, said the families and groups involved in the ceremony are “very hurt and angry about the changes”.
Mr Shatter first placed the ban on Defence Forces participating in the Mass last year. However, families had been hopeful that the Minister would have a change of heart following their appeal.
Ms O’Neill told The Irish Catholic that “the commemoration holds great significance for those of us privileged to be connected to it by virtue of the achievements of our relatives and it was not within the gift of any holder of political office to simply cut a swathe through its traditions.
“I believe it to be a thoroughly unjust decision and the result of thoughtless high-handedness which is contrary to the purpose for which our public representatives are elected to office,” she said.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who has been working closely with the families and relatives of those who fought in 1916, said many of them are “extremely hurt by the Minister’s decision to make these changes without consulting with them beforehand”.
“The ceremony has been going on for decades, so it should have been discussed with the families of the 1916 heroes before any decision was taken,” he claimed.
Ms O’Neill said the rationale for the decision “remains a mystery as even the basic courtesy of prior notice was not afforded to the attendees”.
“The Arbour Hill commemoration does not require intervention or reform. I sincerely hope the Minister will reconsider and allows it to revert to the traditional order of ceremonies,” she said.
Mr Shatter has claimed the military ceremonial element was removed from the Mass on the basis that it was “no longer considered appropriate that military personnel would be requested to perform such a role in a religious ceremony”. The Minister also banned members of the Defence Forces from participating in the procession of the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.
