Michael Collins’ legacy should not be exploited

On the subject of protecting the Memory of Michael Collins I wholeheartedly agree with the comments by Michael Galvin (Irish Examiner, September 1) regarding the false assertions made by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald at Beal na Bláth.

This is in relation to women’s rights, which the minister spoke about at the recent Michael Collins commemoration.

Political parties are never slow in seeking political gain from rattling the bones of our dead heroes.

For too long the legacy of Michael Collins has been recklessly manipulated for party political purposes, even to the point of history being re-written.

In addition, I doubt if the justice minister’s wardrobe is so limited that she had no choice but to attend Beal na Bláth fully decked out as a “bright blue rose”.

This risked being perceived by some as an unfortunate throw-back to Eoin Duffy’s rein in the thirties, more than a decade after the death of Michael Collins.

For the vast multitude of people who passionately want to ensure that the memory of michael collins is properly preserved, it is vital that the true authentic values he stood for are fully protected.

Joseph E Barrett

Sundays Well

Cork