Putting names of British Army personnel on plaque is insulting

I write on behalf of relatives of the 1916 GPO Garrison and descendants of the signatories to the Proclamation who were present at GPO headquarters in 1916.

I am asked to make it clear following Alice Hanratty’s letter last week (Irish Examiner, February 8) that we, as an organisation, are opposed in principle to any proposal to locate a wall, plaque or register in Glasnevin Cemetery or elsewhere upon which names of British Army personnel will be inscribed alongside 1916 volunteers who were killed in action or executed by Crown forces.

It is, in our view, a deeply insulting proposal.

We are not aware of consultations with relatives of the volunteers or the executed 1916 proclamation signatories.

We understand that plans are already underway at Glasnevin Cemetery to erect a wall with the names of all of those who lost their lives, including British Crown Forces, during the struggle for Irish independence in the period 1916 to 1923.

We have sought clarification on the matter from Glasnevin Cemetery.

Donna Cooney

Nominated Representative The Relatives of the 1916 GPO Garrison