Black eye for Fine Gael over RIC as past comes back to haunt Leo
SOME ideas are best left in between the ears. Once they get to the mouth and fingers all hell can break loose which is happened when Fine Gael decided to plan an event that celebrated the contributions of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) to Irish life a century ago.
The event was due to be held at Dublin Castle this Friday but was cancelled by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan due to mounting pressure from both within Fine Gael and from opposition parties.
The debacle was the last thing Fine Gael needed amid growing expectation that the bromance between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil was about to fizzle out, as has proven true.
Despite Minister Flanagan’s claims that the state commemoration was planned in conjunction with an advisory group of historians, it was an own goal and terrible judgment to pursue with the idea in the first place.
Like many of you readers I lost family members to the Black and Tans. Two of my granduncles were murdered in Tipperary during 100 years ago this December.
That terrible part of our history looms large in many of our minds. Most people have a story to tell and the commemoration has been one of the talking points in the country over recent days. Times have changed and Ireland is no longer a war-torn country, but the past is the past.
The planned commemoration event has provided ammunition to many who feel Fine Gael are out of touch. Of course mistakes happen and credit to Minister Flanagan for pulling the plug on Friday’s event but clearly a lot of thought is needed if one is ever going to be held.
Mr Flanagan said: ‘Given the disappointing response of some to the planned event on 17th January, I do not believe that the event, as planned, can now take place in an atmosphere that meets the goals and guiding principles of the overall commemorative programme. Therefore, I am announcing its deferral.’
He said aspects of the event were grossly misrepresented, adding that he still intended to proceed with the ceremony later in the year as he believed it is the ‘right thing to do’.
Fine Gael leaders were reportedly unhappy with their Independence Alliance partners for publicly expressing their concerns about holding such an event. Hello! We live in a democracy where free speech is a right for everyone. It seems that if you don’t tow the party line you’re in the bad books.
Minister Flanagan is already organising an event that is inclusive and fully respectful of all the traditions and memories on this island.”
He added that there were ‘those in the RIC who committed atrocities.’
‘The horrific record of the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries is well known. But there were thousands of other officers who behaved with dignity and honour in serving their communities. And we should not seek to airbrush these people from our history.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have done the right thing in my book by distancing themselves from what must be incredibly onerous roles as senior royals in Royal Family Inc.
The irony of the fact that they are going to make money out of a website whose brand is all about the royals called Sussex Royal gave me pause this week, and a chuckle too!