Our silent acquiescence to exhibiting the nameless dead is paradoxical

WHEN bereaved parents in this country found out that tissues and organs from their dead children had been retained by hospitals, they were outraged.

That, in most cases, the retention was done in the interests of research and disease prevention did not matter to those grieving parents. What mattered to them was the disrespect shown to the integrity of their babies’ bodies.

When, in the past few weeks, a swab once used to clean the dead face of Michael Collins, together with a lock of his hair, were presented as part of a public auction, disbelief and dismay were widespread, with people asking to what level had our respect for a fallen hero if such intensely personal items were to be sold to the highest bidder.