Garda failure at cemetery

The recent, but minor, disruption to the 1916 commemoration in Grangegorman cemetery was a failure on behalf of those in charge of event security, An Gárda Síochàna.

I have heard many disparaging remarks from Irish people about our Defence Forces for not intervening to remove the protester, who was not a source of danger, but an annoyance, if anything.

Such people are ignorant about the role our brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen play in the security of our State, as an aide to civil power and in fulfilling international humanitarian and peacekeeping obligations.

To suggest that our soldiers should break the solemnity of the event by apprehending a protester is not only absurd, but insulting to them. What did people want? That the soldiers should have bayoneted the protester?

An Garda Siochàna are the upholders of law, order and civility, and are more than capable of doing so without the assistance of the Defence Forces.

Philip Jones

Ballyvolane

Cork