Micheál Martin: ‘Time to reclaim legacy of 1916’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has insisted it is time to reclaim the legacy of the 1916 rebellion after the Provisional IRA tried to “hijack” the rising.

Mr Martin said there should be no “inhibitions” about celebrating the centenary as it was not connected with the Troubles in the North.

“It is fair to say that others in more modern times, in my view, have tarnished the Rising and attempted to distort history in a most appalling way to justify acts that could not be justified — and I’m referring to the 30 years’ campaign by the Provisional IRA in the North.