It’s time to abandon Béal na mBláth

THERE has been much media coverage lately of the annual Michael Collins commemoration at Béal na mBláth.

But why does Collins hold such iconic status and is he really such a good role model for young people in Ireland? Many people seem to forget it was Collins who organised the shooting dead of 13 men in Dublin as they slept in their beds in November 1920.

He also ordered the killing of Sir Henry Wilson, a Co Longford Protestant, in London in 1922

What commemorations are there for people who used exclusively peaceful and democratic means to advance the Irish cause? And what message does this send to young people?

The annual commemoration of the west Cork gunman should be quietly abandoned and replaced with commemorations for Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell who dedicated their lives to achieving justice and independence for Ireland through peaceful and constitutional means.

Eugene O’Donovan

Ealing

London W5