Sacked army officer launches campaign to clear name

A former Irish army lieutenant who was retired from the Defence Forces by former President Eamon de Valera has launched an international campaign to clear his name.

Donal de Roiste was retired in 1969 without ever receiving a reason for his dismissal.

Newspaper reports over the weekend claimed he was sacked to protect another senior officer from charges relating to a drink-driving incident.

Lieutenant de Roiste said today that he is confident of clearing his name.

"What we’re trying to do is get out the truth," he said.

"I’ve never found out why (I was dismissed) and I’ve never managed to access my files."