Easter Rising event hears plea to reject terrorism

IRISH people have been urged to honour the memory of the Easter Rising patriots by rejecting terrorism and welcoming Queen Elizabeth to the country.

Monsignor Eoin Thynne, head chaplain to the defence forces, made the call at yesterday’s 1916 commemorations in a clear reference to the murder of PSNI officer Ronan Kerr in Omagh earlier this month and to planned protests against the British monarch’s visit next month.

Leading almost 300 members of the defence forces and a crowd of several thousand dignitaries, guests and onlookers in prayer, Msgr Thynne said: “We pray for the strength and the courage to stand up and speak out as one voice against those who persist in cowardly acts of terrorism and show nothing but contempt for Irish people.

“May we fulfil the promise of our patriots and lead our country towards a better future. May we make a new commitment to live out that promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.”

“As the island of a thousand welcomes, may we always show our love for our neighbours and extend a céad míle fáilte to all visitors to our shores. May we realise also we can not expect to make everyone our friend but we can try to make no one our enemy.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny later echoed those sentiments, remarking that with our history of emigration, Irish people understood the nature of inter-dependence between countries.

“The visit of the Queen brings a conclusion to centuries of division, dissent and difficulties and looks to a new future,” he said.

This year’s ceremony continued the tradition reestablished in 2006 with a reflective tone. The tricolour was lowered to half mast, the Proclamation of the Republic was read by a member of the defence forces, the Last Post and Reveille were played and President Mary McAleese laid a wreath in front of the GPO. The commemoration ended with a fly-past in formation by Air Corps pilots.

Sinn Féin TD, Gerry Adams, meanwhile, told gatherings in Dundalk and Drogheda that the Rising leaders would be appalled at what had been done to the country in recent times.

“Apart from the indomitable spirit of the people, and the resilience of communities, there is nothing in this state today which bears any resemblance to the republic proclaimed in 1916,” he said.

He said the run-up to the centenary should become a rallying point for citizens to stand up for their rights.

“The usurpation of citizen’s rights and the continued power of social and economic elites could not happen in a real republic.”

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, in his Easter address, also lamented the ills affecting society. “As we gather in peaceful prayer to reflect on the mystery of life, in dark corners of our city, of our country and of our world people are planning criminal undertakings and violence,” he said.

“The message of Easter which we proclaim challenges head on those in our society who espouse political violence, criminal violence or the violence of corrupt exploitation.”