Deserters are the bravest of soldiers

AS a pacifist opposed to all killing armies and all wars, I find no difficulty whatever with the pardoning of the Irish deserters. Those who left because they believed that killing humans was wrong should be very proud of themselves.

Those who joined the Allied war effort should not be punished. Whether they were killing in an Irish or British army, they should have been free to leave.

Some Irish soldiers became convinced that it was better to join a force that was fighting a war in Europe than stay in their own army at home. When they left they acted on their convictions. Contrary to the indoctrination instilled by armies, deserters may be the bravest of their soldiers. Threatened with penalties of ostracism, exile, court martial, imprisonment and execution, they still deserted. While I would prefer if the Irish deserters had never enlisted in any army, I don’t believe that they need anyone’s forgiveness for acting according to their beliefs.

However if it would set their minds at rest, the honourable and humane thing for the State and the military to do would be to give them the technical pardon they request.

Justin Morahan

Scholarstown Park

Dublin 16