A number of public representatives in Donegal have issued a call for the planned commemoration of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police to be cancelled outright.
The calls follow a decision by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan yesterday to defer the event following political backlash.
But planning an alternative event is ‘not enough’, according to Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn.
He said: “For any Irish government to advocate commemorating these organisations is shameful and it has rightly drawn widespread outrage and opposition.
“Deferral of this planned commemoration is a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough. This event needs to be cancelled and the government needs to demonstrate that they have learned the lessons from this episode.”
Sinn Fein group leader on Donegal County Council, Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher has welcomed and commended Cathaoirleach Nicolas Crossan’s decision not to attend the Government’s commemoration for the RIC.
Cllr Gallagher said: “Sinn Fein had requested a special meeting of Donegal County Council if there were to be any representation at this event, while this event has been postponed it is imperative that the position of Donegal County Council is put on the public record and the people of Donegal know exactly where their representatives stand on this issue and any upcoming proposals of this type by the Government.
Cllr Gallagher has written again to the Cathaoirleach asking that a special item be added to the full meeting of the January Council so that all members of the Council can publicly state their view on the matter.
“Sinn Fein will continue to oppose and condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to re-write history by this Government,” Cllr Gallagher said.
Independent Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig added his welcome for Minister Flanagan’s deferral decision.
“However, it is important that this ill-conceived commemoration is now definitively cancelled and not deferred, or rebranded, to re-emerge at a later date. We must remain vigilant,” Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said.
He added: “May I also take this opportunity to congratulate all who voiced their opposition to this egregious event and prevented something that could only have made us an object of ridicule. This is a victory for the people of Ireland and underlines our power when we speak truth to power with one loud voice.”
