Dublin's Glasnevin “Inappropriate and Insulting” Necrology Wall Discontinued After Further Attack

A memorial wall in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery is to be "discontinued" after it was physically attacked for a third time. Dublin Cemeteries Trust has stated that : "it is the firm view of Dublin Cemeteries Trust that if the wall were to be repaired for a third time it would be vandalised again." The memorial wall was always controversial after being first unveiled in April 2016, during the centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising. It listed British crown forces who died crushing the rebellion alongside Irish freedom fighters and civilian fatalities and was described by many organisations at the time as inappropriate for a memorial wall. Therefore the decision to discontinue the wall has been described by many as a triumph of common sense and needed to be made out of respect for the people who fought and died for Ireland.

It appeared inevitable to many at the time of its unveiling that the controversial wall would meet with sustained protests. It was pointed out that the listing of British Army forces, sent to quell the fight for Irish independence, alongside those who fought and died to make Ireland free and independent was “inappropriate and insulting”. It has been said that no other country would entertain such senseless and historical treatment of their national heroes. An example being on the 12 May panel of the wall. Where a British soldier listed between executed leaders James Connolly and Seán Mac Diarmada was a member of the British Army’s South Staffordshire Regiment. The Staffordshires were responsible for the North King Street Massacre in which 15 Dublin men and boys were rounded up, summarily executed and buried in the yards and cellars of their homes.

Image:  Vandalised necrology wall image courtesy of  Raidió Teilifís Éireann News