Plans to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary have been described as an “insult” to the legacy of killed Irish citizens.
The Government came under pressure last night to rethink a controversial service for the RIC, Black and Tans, Auxiliaries and the Dublin Metropolitan Police.
Dublin City Council, Cork’s Lord Mayor John Sheehan and Galway Mayor Mike Cubbard yesterday became the latest to boycott invitations.
It comes less than 24 hours after Clare Mayor John Crowe described the event – due to take place in Dublin Castle on Friday week – as “historical revisionism gone too far”.
The Black and Tans terrorised thousands of civilians, including the Bloody Sunday killing of 13 spectators and one player at Croke Park in November 1920.
Sinn Fein’s Aengus O Snodaigh said: “Fine Gael are more interested in commemorating the enforcers of British rule in Ireland than ordinary citizens who bore the brunt. It’s an insult to their memory.” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who said he was “disappointed” by decisions to boycott yesterday, insisted the Government stands over the event.
He added: “I think it is regrettable. I remember years ago it was controversial to commemorate the deaths of soldiers in WWI because some felt they shouldn’t be remembered because they fought for the British – that has changed.”
Last night Dublin City Council voted overwhelmingly not to send a representative to the commemoration. An emergency motion said it was a “disgraceful event” .
However, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan stressed yesterday the commemoration was “not a celebration”.
He said: “This event is one of a large number of events taking place this decade to acknowledge significant events or developments in the history of our island.
“It is an acknowledgement the historical importance of both the DMP and the RIC, and is in no sense a commemoration of the Black and Tans or the ‘Auxiliaries’.”
