Fine Gael row over Easter Rising legacy

Ralph Riegel Twitter Email

September 22 2014 11:31 PM

Defence Minister Simon Coveney has criticised comments by former Taoiseach John Bruton that the 1916 Easter Rising was "unnecessary" and not "a just war".

Mr Coveney warned he did not want "a misrepresentation of history" if Mr Bruton's comments were perceived as Fine Gael's view.

"I agree with John on a lot of things - (but) historically I think we should be accurate," he said. "To suggest (1916) wasn't a significant event towards Irish (independence)... in many ways it denigrates people and families who deserve better."

Mr Bruton was Fine Gael leader when Mr Coveney was elected in a 1998 by-election.

The former Taoiseach suggested last April that the 1916 Easter Rising was a waste of time, given the progress that could have been achieved with Home Rule.

He also wrote in the Irish Independent that the Easter Rising leaders ignored the political realities in Ulster in their proclamation.

"If the rebel leaders of 1916 had more patience, had thought honestly about the Ulster problem, had channelled their idealism into ballots rather than barricades and had given Home Rule a chance, we could have avoided all of that," Mr Bruton said.