Give us the truth, not folklore

I refer to recent two-part TV3 documentary, In the Name of the Republic, presented by Professor Eunan O’Halpin of Trinity College Dublin.

The series was presented in a very dramatic way claiming in Part 1 that two civilians abducted by Tipperary IRA were buried in a Laois field. Department of Justice files showed these men had survived the conflict.

Part 2 depicted IRA volunteers involved in the alleged killing of informers in the Knockraha area of Co Cork without proof that such killings took place.

This kind of history is very similar to the approach adopted by Peter Hart some years ago, who attempted to show the 1919-21 struggle for freedom in this country as being a sectarian one to wipe out protestants in the south of Ireland.

Research carried out by historian Dr Brian Murphy has shown that many of Hart’s statements were untrue and were based on British propaganda.

UCC historian, John Borgonovo, (Irish Examiner, Mar 27) exposes O’Halpin’s statements regarding abductions and killings as being too reliant on local folklore and unwise speculation.

Is it acceptable for Professor O’Halpin to present history to the people of Ireland as fact when it is based on assumptions, speculation and innuendo? Is it also acceptable to portray volunteers who risked their lives in the fight for independence in such a negative and degrading way?

Do not forget that a war against the British was in progress during the 1919-21 period where, unfortunately, many participants and civilians were killed.

Such a war could possibly have been avoided if the British government had accepted the result of the December 1918 general election.

The opportunity to negotiate a settlement was available to the British but they did not take it and instead sent Black and Tans and auxiliaries into this country to beat the Irish people into submission.

We, members of the Kilmichael and Crossbarry Commemoration Committee, are very concerned that history not based on fact – false history – is being presented to the Irish people.

In particular, students of contemporary Irish history, attending schools and colleges, should not be subjected to folklore presented as history.

Seán Ó Céilleachair

Runaí

Kilmichael and Crossbarry Commemoration Committee

Co Cork