President Higgins: Sacking of Balbriggan was defining episode in war of independence

Michael D Higgins said to forgive ‘is not to forget’. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA

President Michael D Higgins has recalled the sacking of Balbriggan as a “defining episode” in the war of independence.

More than fifty homes and businesses were burned in the north county Dublin town and two men killed on September 20, 1920 following the killing of two Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) officers.