Permission refused for Old IRA Funeral?

by iamsam Mon Jan 25, 2010 23:03

Is it possible that the objection is based on scattering the ashes over existing plots? Perhaps its felt by the organisation or by relatives that its not respectful to those that are already laid to rest in the plot?

Just a suggestion though as Im not familiar with the plot in question.

by mahonvalley Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:56

433. Mr. E. Collins asked the Minister for Defence if he will give all old IRA medal holders a monthly allowance and a burial allowance and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Faulkner) Padraig Faulkner

66

Minister for Defence (Mr. Faulkner): The existing arrangements whereby a special allowance, which is payable monthly in arrear, is awarded to a veteran of the War of Independence who has a duly awarded Service (1917-1921) Medal provide, among other things, for the application of a means test. At present more than 6,000 such allowances are paid. In addition some 3,000 military [66] service pensions are paid. The pensioners concerned are entitled to the Service (1917-1921) Medal with Bar and some 1,000 of them are in receipt of the special allowance in addition to their pensions. Apart from the 8,000 veterans who are thus in receipt of the special allowance or the service pension or both, it is estimated that there are a further 4,000 medal holders still alive.

The purpose of the special allowance is to give a measure of support to veterans who on account of age or incapacity are not in a position to support themselves. The means test has been relaxed progressively over the years and is now far from severe. If it were further modified to permit of the grant of an allowance, irrespective of means, every military service pensioner and medal holder, no matter how well off he or she might be, would automatically be eligible for it in the same way as the most needy veteran who had no assessable means. Such a situation would tend to vitiate the whole purpose of the special allowance scheme.

As regards the scheme of funeral grants, the position is that it has already been extended since 1 July 1979 to include all veterans who have the duly awarded Service Medal.

by Pheff Tue Sep 01, 2009 20:25

Whoever is responsible for the decision not to allow this mans family to scatter his ashes on the grave of his fallen comrades should be ashamed of themselves.

When I read or hear accounts of what these men and women had to do, and what they and their family's had to endure, (homes being wrecked and burned to the ground) just makes me wonder, would our present day leaders be prepared to sacrifice or suffer a mere fraction of what these people had to?

I think not........Will we ever see their likes again?

Probably not.......what a pity.......just when we really need men like these

by Ivan Lennon - none Tue Jul 07, 2009 20:54 ilennon at rochester dot rr dot com Rochester,NY 585 288 0636

A chara

Initial D of D refusal via a stamped signature - was in December of 2008
More recent WWOIRA refusal was based on their "remit" over the Kilrossanty Republican plot where my father's comrades are buried -including nearby Dr.Joe Walsh - Flying Column M.D.

Anyone desirous of the details of my father's life and his Free State struggles should feel free to contact me directly at ilennon@rochester.rr.com

It is long overdue to accord to the active men of the Deise Brigade some of the focus accorded Irishmen who fought in the Great War

I have contacted many in the Republic - including Waterford FF TDs
I have a this point, many years after I began my enquery, nearly given up.

Ivan Lennon
Rochester, NY

by pat c Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:57

First of all the West Waterford Old Ira Association cannot stop the ashes being scattered unless they own the plot. If they do then some publicity in the local media might change their attitude.

Someone who took part in active service iduring the War of Independence is entitled to a firing party regardless of what organisation that he was afterwards involved in.

In February 1981, Geoffery Coulter died and was buried with full military honours including a firing party. Even though Ruari O'Brádaigh gave the oration. (I attended the funeral.)

The best way to advance this is through making as much hassle as possible for those blocking the scattering of the ashes.

Contact TDs, the media, ring the Joe Duffy show.

by Diarmuid Breatnach - Personal capacity Tue Jul 07, 2009 04:03

Sorry to hear about this; what do you and the family propose?