Fergus Finlay of Irish Examiner wrote August 1st 2006
He was just 24 at the time. Except he didn’t voluntarily retire. He “was retired”. That’s a rather odd way of describing what happened to him, but it’s the term that was used. He was “retired” by the President at the behest of the Government. What did he do wrong? We don’t know. What crime was he charged with? None. Who gave evidence against him? No one, at least not to his face.Not charged, no witnesses, no accusations, no evidence. Just retired. De Róiste may be the victim of the greatest unresolved miscarriage of justice in Ireland. What he says happened to him lacked all semblance of natural justice. In 1968 he was a young army lieutenant. Out of nowhere, he says he was taken to military headquarters, put under confinement, interrogated for several days and eventually dismissed from the army.
4 comments:
There is an election going on in Ireland presently & I am making submissions to all the parties for a commitment to justice in my case. I urge all those interested in democracy to do the same. The state must be answerable to the people.
I heard Fergus Finley on RTE, radio 1, Wednesday morning. He brought up your case in reference to your sister Adi and her presidential campaign. I have read the book written about you, as well, and Mr Finley made a mistake, giving your sister's age at the time of your disgrace as age 4. Wasn't she 14 or nearly 15. Big difference in what one would understand and feel as her brother went through his private and public trauma.
I greatly repect and admire your sister and the work she has done, but I also, like many others I suspect, always have wondered why unlike other celebrities and public figures she doesn't take up the opportunities availed her at public events and in media coverage to publicly remind people that she has a secondary struggle in her life....seeing her brother Donal cleared of the blight on his name and character.
I wish you well with your continuing efforts and hope justice is achieved for you very soon.
I think that its a disgrace and an embarrassment to our nation that even after the facts and injustices that you've faced and lived with for so long, are finally published and blatant for all to see, that theres still so many brick walls for you to climb.
You've struggled long and hard to get to this point, and even when the end seems near, this country still turns a blind eye to your plight.
Its terrifying to think how many others have faced the same fate, but did not have the will and the strength to fight as long and hard.
Your persistence and good nature will win your friends and respect on the last legs of your long journey... Those who have the power to help are finally getting to hear you... You will get the justice you deserve... and your victory may be the first step to helping others who've suffered a similiar injustice.
In 1973 Fianna Fail called a 'snap' election. This was some weeks before thousands of young people reached voting age. It was done in "The National Interest" according to the party. Look out for more FF 'stunts' as we head for election. Defence Minister O'Dea had to reprimand the Chief of Staff Shreenan recently. Funny how O'Dea can stand over certain army injustices but not ones that threaten him?
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