Bill to pardon war deserters set to pass

The legislation granting a pardon and apology to soldiers who deserted the Defence Forces to fight in the second World War is expected to pass all stages in the Dáil today.

About 7,000 of the 42,000 serving personnel were deemed to have deserted during the war, with some 5,000 of them leaving to fight with the Allies. About 100 are still alive. Some returned to their units or were apprehended and tried by military courts. After the war, they were dismissed from the Defence Forces, had their names published and were refused jobs in the public service for seven years.

Minister for Justice and Defence Alan Shatter said yesterday that the Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity Bill) 2012 was being enacted in recognition of the courage of those individuals court-martialled or dismissed from the Defence Forces who fought on the Allied side.

He added that it gave important statutory expression to the apology given by him on the State’s behalf last year for the “shameful manner’’ in which they were treated.

“The enactment of this legislation makes an important difference to thousands of families in the State and goes some way to right the wrongs of our past,’’ Mr Shatter said. “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 they played in seeking to ensure a free and safe Europe.”

Introducing the Bill in the Seanad last February, the Minister said it went without saying that the Defence Forces must retain the power to enforce discipline.