Anti-fascism not guiding principle

There may be a case for pardoning soldiers who deserted the Irish Army during World War II on humanitarian grounds, but I am concerned by the tone of this campaign.

It seems to imply that heroic anti-fascists were persecuted by a wicked Irish state.

As Tom Cooper points out, it is standard worldwide military practice for armies to court martial deserters. These soldiers were subsequently barred from state employment only and not prevented from living here and obtaining private employment. Many countries would have been much harsher.