Unionists criticise McAleese remarks on Irish recruits

Two leading unionists have accused President Mary McAleese of trying to rewrite history by suggesting that Irish people joined the British Army before the First World War to escape poverty.

Mrs McAleese made the comment during an event last night to mark 100 years since the foundation of the ITGWU.

She referred to the grim days of 1909, when Irish people were struggling against starvation, disease and exploitation.

The president said many joined the British Army so their families could eat.

Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP, however, says that, while some Irish soldiers had joined the British Army for that reason, a majority had done so "out of a deep sense of patriotism".

Former UUP MP Ken Maginnis, meanwhile, has accused the President of talking nonsense.