Defending the nation

Prof Geoffrey Roberts’s review (Dec 29) of Bernard Kelly’s new book on the role of Irish volunteers who fought for the Allies in World War II points to the pardon in 2012 for Irish army deserters.

The pardon, however, hardly honours those who did not desert. Yet, the latter stood by their country and Constitution. They defended neutral Ireland. “A small nation stood alone.”

Antony Barnwell

St Patrick’s Road

Dublin 9