Pearse’s putsch in 1916 was against the wishes of vast majority

DR BRIAN MURPHY OSB, of Glenstal Abbey, states that “the Easter Rising, while not mandated by the normal voting process, became a mandatory obligation of democrats” (Irish Examiner letters, November 28).

Far from being “a mandatory obligation,” whatever that may mean, Patrick Pearse undemocratically mounted a putsch against the wishes of the vast majority of the Irish people, Sinn Féin and the Irish Volunteers. This constituted a treasonable act. Arms were supplied by Germany, the country against which Britain and some 150,000 Irishmen were fighting at a time when the outcome of this war was very undecided.

It should never be forgotten that about 30,000 Irishmen from this island fell in the Great War fighting for the freedom of small nations and they are still not honoured in their own country. Another legacy of 1916.