The government of the Republic of Ireland is to officially pardon Irish soldiers accused of desertion in the Second World War, because they left to fight with the Allies against the Axis powers. Upon their return to Ireland they were heavily discriminated against by the state as traitors, having been convicted as 'deserters' by military tribunal in their absence, and with employment opportunities subsequently made difficult, a loss of pension rights, and more. The Republic (or Free State as it was then) was neutral in the conflict, which it officially refers to as the 'National Emergency', rather than the Second World War.
The full story of the pardon is available at www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22425684 and www.independent.ie/irish-news/wwii-irish-troops-set-for-pardons-29248191.html.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!
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