Pardon issued to soldiers who left to fight Nazis

Irish soldiers who were blacklisted for joining the British army to fight Nazi Germany have been vindicated after almost 70 years.

Defence Minister Alan Shatter said the men had ensured the safety of the very people at home who branded them deserters.

Passing a bill to grant amnesty to thousands of former troops, he said their families should be proud. “These individuals contributed in no small part to the allied victory against tyranny and totalitarianism.