Government set to pardon WWII soldiers

The Government looks set to pardon soldiers who deserted the Defence Forces to join the British army during World War Two.

Around 5,000 Irish soldiers went to fight with the British during the Second World War.

Around 100 of them are still alive today.

The Government has been petitioned to pardon the soldiers who claim they were treated as second-class citizens on their return to Ireland after the war.

The Cabinet discussed the issue today, and the Minister for Defence is to make a statement to the Dáil on the matter this evening.