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.