Plea issued over Tricolours on coffins of ex-Defence Forces

The families of former members of the Defence Forces whose coffins are draped with Tricolours at their funerals must return the flags to the military authorities, it has emerged.

The association representing soldiers, sailors and aircrew, PDforra believes families should be allowed to keep the flags in memory of their loved ones’ lives in the service to their country.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney and Defence Forces Chief of Staff vice-admiral Mark Mellett have both promised to examine the current practice and find a "compassionate" solution.

PDforra president Mark Scally said a motion on the issue at the association annual conference in Galway was remitted in order that the issue could be resolved in negotiations with the military authorities."The members feel that when others pass away, their families weren't getting the opportunity to hang on to the national flag, which is draped over the coffin of anyone who has ever served in the Defence Forces," said Mr Scally.

He said he was now hopeful the matter would be resolved, following the reaction of Mr Coveney and vice-admiral Mellett.“I am anxious that we would take a compassionate approach on these things, I will take a look at the detail and we’ll consider it,” Mr Coveney told the conference.

Dignity

Vice-admiral Mallet said if the current practices around the use of the national flag at funerals needed to be examined and changed, he would do that.

“I think it’s important that occasions like that are treated with the dignity that’s required,” he said. “If it’s a case whereby there is constraint in the current regulation we will certainly look at that with a view to . . . giving the flag to the family members.”

Mr Scally also said his members were concerned decisions made around opportunities for educational courses and foreign postings favoured those in the officer ranks while rank and file members were being discriminated against.

“We feel our members are being discriminated against, especially senior (non-commissioned officers),” he said.“We see that commissioned officers feel they can’t do without them because they do so much work within a unit so they don’t get the opportunity to do the things they apply for.”

PDforra was also concerned about some of its retiring members leaving the Defence Forces with no skills to bring into the private sector, resulting in them being trapped on social welfare long-term.