O'Donoghue rejects criticism of volunteers funerals

The Minister for Justice has rejected claims that the State funerals for ten volunteers executed during the War of Independence will send out the wrong signal to unionists at this delicate time in the peace process.

Kevin Barry and nine others will be honoured some 80 years after they were hanged in Mountjoy jail by British forces.

The Taoiseach and President will be present at a requiem mass before some 30,000 people are expected to line O'Connell Street in central Dublin for the funeral procession past the GPO.

Minister John O'Donoghue says it is entirely appropriate to honour the volunteers who gave their lives for Ireland, just as those who died in both World Wars have been remembered.