During WW2 nearly 5000 soldiers deserted the Irish Army in order to join the allies. They were dishonourably discharged and Upon returning to Ireland, denied pensions and access to certain jobs. The Minister of Defence is seeking advice on how to put this right, saying that in the context of the Holocaust, Irish neutrality was equivalent to moral bankruptcy.
Pardon on way for Irish who fought, says Shatter - The Irish Times - Wed, Jan 25, 2012

About bloody time.

Agreed.

My granddad crossed the Irish sea to land in Liverpool in 1938. He wasn't Irish Defence Forces, but some of the lads he came over with were. Many of them had fought in the 1st World War, and didn't trust the Germans as far as they could throw them, and since the Irish Government of the time wanted to keep it's neutrality, they believed that joining the British Army was the only way to truly defend Ireland itself.

My grandma took a lot of stick when local folks knew what he had done, and it got so bad that my granddad brought the whole family over to England.

Because of the hatred of certain sections of Irish society, even in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the atrocities committed by the Germans, he never got the chance to return to his homeland. He remained in self imposed exile in England until his death in 1968, rather than have his family face abuse from ignorant people who owed him, and those like him, their freedom.

This has been too long coming, and it's too late for most of the men who selflessly decided to defend their own country the only way that was available to them.

Wasnt this discussed a few weeks ago on here?

Originally Posted by Inzile

During WW2 nearly 5000 soldiers deserted the Irish Army in order to join the allies. They were dishonourably discharged and Upon returning to Ireland, denied pensions and access to certain jobs. The Minister of Defence is seeking advice on how to put this right, saying that in the context of the Holocaust, Irish neutrality was equivalent to moral bankruptcy.
Pardon on way for Irish who fought, says Shatter - The Irish Times - Wed, Jan 25, 2012

About bloody time.

And naturally we can expect more desertions from Irelands army to go around the world and sort out the various massacres occuring today?
A bit of history, the holocaust didnt happen until halfway through the war and I doubt many if any micks joined up because of what was happening to the Jews.

Originally Posted by instinct

Wasnt this discussed a few weeks ago on here?

Yep. Very interesting thread it was too.

Vindictive Irish Govt

Originally Posted by stacker1

And naturally we can expect more desertions from Irelands army to go around the world and sort out the various massacres occuring today?
A bit of history, the holocaust didnt happen until halfway through the war and I doubt many if any micks joined up because of what was happening to the Jews.

A bit of history, the pogroms and death squads existed before half way through the war. They are part of the holocaust. And Shatter didn't say they joined because of the holocaust. He stated the Irish position was one of moral bankruptcy because of the fact that the holocaust happened, not that Southern Irish joined because of the holocaust.

It's been done elsewhere on arrse!


As a footnote though, perhaps the British will now, in a tit for tat move, reprieve the Irish septic William Joyce, shame we can't unhang the cunt!

Originally Posted by rickshaw-major

A bit of history, the pogroms and death squads existed before half way through the war. They are part of the holocaust. And Shatter didn't say they joined because of the holocaust. He stated the Irish position was one of moral bankruptcy because of the fact that the holocaust happened, not that Southern Irish joined because of the holocaust.

Depends on your version of the holocaust. I view it as genocide to completely eliminate a race not casual murder that can be applied to anyone.
Will Shatter now be clammering to stick his oar in the various genocides that happen around the world? Or with the boggies continue to morally bankrupt.

Originally Posted by Baleno

This is good news.
Although I have a question. Why has it taken so long? Many of those men fought the good fight against an evil, evil person. The fact that they joined the British army is irrelevant. They (the Allies) defeated Hitler. For that they should have been honoured. Imagine what the world would be like today, if Hitler was allowed to continue doing what he did.
It’s sad that many of those men will never know that they have been pardoned, but at least it has been done Better late than never I suppose, and maybe their families will take some peace from it.

Because they were deserters.
The fact the joined the British army is very relevant especially as the PM of Northern Ireland at the time was suggesting invading the south.
Do you think all the outraged on this and the other thread about it, would be so forgiving if a British soldier deserted today to fight in Syria? Then expect the goverment to welcome them back with a state job?

Originally Posted by stacker1

The fact the joined the British army is very relevant especially as the PM of Northern Ireland at the time was suggesting invading the south.

Who didn't have a plan to invade the south?

PS Those of you considering responses to stacker, do yourselves and everyone else a favour by hunting out the other thread.