A chara, - Any right-thinking person or indeed any true admirer of Michael Collins must reject out of hand the attempt by Michael Noonan to resurrect old ghosts of bitterness and division in his speech at BΘal na Blβth last Sunday (August 20th). One would be hard pressed to find its equal anywhere in modern Irish history.
Mr Noonan accused Fianna Fβil of anti-Collins bias. Well Mr Noonan, a former deputy leader of your party, Peter Barry, in the course of a speech in the not too distant past, lamented that Fianna Fβil had put in place most of General Collins's "stepping stones". Mind you he did omit to mention that this was done in the face of stiff and continuous opposition from Fine Gael! This opposition should not have caused surprise as the then new successor to Cumann na nGael contained not just nationalist elements, but also the remnants of Southern unionism and O'Duffy's fascists.
Some tribute to Michael Collins's memory!
Turning to Mr Noonan's assertion that Fianna Fβil refused permission for the Army to attend the annual commemoration over the years, I find this remark offensive and misleading.
The only time in modern Ireland that the Army attended at BΘal na Blβth was under a Fianna Fβil government in 1972, when the wreath was laid by a Fianna Fβil Defence Minister! As for their non-attendance now, Mr Noonan gives the answer in his speech, which was political in tone, content and presentation. In no way can the Army be embroiled in such controversial gatherings.
However, if those organising the commemoration genuinely want to honour the memory of this great Irishman then they must do so in a way that is totally non-political. This would not only facilitate the Army's attendance, but would also allow those of other modern political thinking to attend.
In conclusion, a question begs to be asked of Mr Noonan.
Why, when Fine Gael were in power did their ministers not allow the Army's attendance? In the very recent past, Mrs Nora Owen (she who must be mislaid), a great grandniece of the man himself, gave the oration at BΘal na Blβth. She was Minister for Justice at the time. Why did she not organise with her ministerial colleague in defence for the Army to attend? In the 1970s Paddy Donegan as Defence minister under Mr Cosgrave never allowed Army attendance.
Was this not a thundering disgrace Mr Noonan? (oops, sorry). - Is mise le meas,
Liam A. Breathnach, Baile an Chollaigh, Co Corcha∅.