Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)

As we prepare for the centenary celebrations of the 1916 Rising, I draw the attention of the House to a forgotten, although no less brave, cohort of men. During the Second World War almost 5,000 Irishmen left or deserted the Irish Defence Forces to join the British Army to fight for democracy and the future and freedom of Europe. Many of these brave men never made it home, giving their lives on the battlefield of Europe. For those who returned, their heroism was met not with honour but with hostility.

In August 1945, the then Government, headed by former Taoiseach, Éamon De Valera, circulated a list of almost 5,000 service men it labelled as deserters under the Emergency Powers (No. 362) Order 1945. This list was a blunt political tool denying these men their constitutional right to defend themselves in an Irish court. Membership of this list meant a person was barred from government employment for seven years and had to forfeit any pay due. Appallingly, it was the ordinary squaddie that was tarnished as officers were exempt. It was ordinary working class lads, some decorated for valour, that were not simply forgotten but punished for their part in the fight against fascism.

At the time, Fine Gael, in opposition, appealed for their pardon but then Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera and Minister for Defence, Deputy Oscar Traynor, refused. Since then there has been a movement to have them pardoned as an act of compassion. I welcomed the statement of the Minister, Deputy Shatter, in the House in July that although desertion could not be excused in any Army he realised that the circumstances were somewhat different and was prepared to give the matter some thought. For these veterans and their families, I ask the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to revoke the Emergency Powers (No. 362) Order 1945 and issue a pardon to these brave men who fought with a sense of idealism and a commitment to protect democracy from tyranny.