The announcement that Justice and Defence Minister Alan Shatter has awarded the Military Star Medal to Private Patrick Kelly who died on active service in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim in 1983, (Irish Examiner, Jul 16) is to be welcomed, as is the decision to pardon those deserters who were unduly penalised for joining the British army during the Second World War.

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has awarded the Military Star Medal to a private who died on active service in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim in 1983.