FIANNA Fail TD Pat the Cope Gallagher has called for the government’s commemoration of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) to be cancelled and said he would decline an invitation to the event.
In a statement this afternoon Deputy Gallagher said the government “have reopened a period of unbelievable cruelty, hurt and violence from our country’s history, while failing as Government to understand that at that time our forefathers stood alone against an Empire and the worse tyranny that they could inflict on any people – the scars of that period are visible in every community visited upon by the Special Reservist Force of the RIC .
“The period of history surrounding the RIC Special Reservist Force ( Aka Black and Tans ) in Ireland is the most darkest in the many chapters of our shared history with our nearest neighbour the United Kingdom, the Government in wishing to commemorate the RIC have failed to consider the totality of the History of the RIC and its auxiliary force during the 1919 to 1922.
“The Government once again have demonstrated to the Irish people how completely out of touch they are with their thinking of the Irish people both in the present and in terms of our history.”
Yesterday Donegal County Councillor Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig called for an emergency meeting to be held over the commemoration plans.
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said he believes it is incumbent on Donegal County Council to follow the lead set in County Clare and “adopt a council position on this vitally important issue.”
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