Ireland’s World War II veterans move one step closer to amnesty

http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-world-war-2-veterans-immunity-amnesty-881540-Apr2013/

 

A good and wise step, better late than never . Too bad so few of them are still alive.

 

Fully agreed Skipper, at the very least it will allow those veterans and their families to find some peace.

 

I should think so too. Only yesterday I posted an obituary of one of these fine men.

 

And today the Irish government finally put their money where their mouths were-

"A pardon for thousands of Irish soldiers who joined the British to fight Nazi Germany will help make amends for the shameful way they were treated after the Second World War, Ireland's Justice Minister has said.
The Irish Government will today enact legislation to grant an amnesty to the former troops - who were blacklisted and branded deserters at home.
Ahead of the historic move, Alan Shatter said tens of thousands of Irish people put their lives at risk during the global conflict in the fight against fascism and tyranny.





[SIZE=1.2em]'The Bill is being enacted in recognition of the courage and bravery of those individuals court martialed or dismissed from the Defence Forces who fought on the Allied side to protect decency and democracy during World War Two,' he said."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1.2em]'It gives important statutory expression to the apology given by me on behalf of the state last year for the shameful manner in which they were treated.'[/SIZE]
Mr Shatter said the pardon would make an important difference to thousands of families in Ireland and goes some way to right the wrongs of the past.
'Unfortunately, many of the individuals whose situation is addressed in this Bill did not live to see the day that this state finally acknowledged the important role that they played in seeking to ensure a free and safe Europe,' he added.
Mr Shatter has already apologised to the ex-soldiers, who were dismissed en masse from the Irish Army under special powers introduced during the Second World War, known as the Emergency in neutral Ireland."



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320615/Irish-soldiers-branded-deserters-leaving-neutral-army-fight-Allies-WWII-finally-pardoned.html#ixzz2ScsXv6kj