Finian McGrath
Question:441 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make an official approach requesting the British to reconsider the Shot at Dawn cases and to grant pardons to the Irish people executed. [20317/03]
Written Answers. - Shot at Dawn Campaign.
I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 19 February 2003 on this issue. Seeking retrospective pardons for those 26 Irish born soldiers, who in the opinion of the Irish Shot at Dawn campaign, were unjustly executed while serving in the British Army during the Great War, is a complicated issue. The Government is sympathetic to the objective of the campaign but mindful that the matter has to be handled with care and sensitivity, particularly in terms of the relatives concerned.
Officials from my Department are in contact with the Irish co-ordinator of the Shot at Dawn campaign. I understand that they are to meet him again in the coming weeks with a view to establishing how matters might be best taken forward.
Question No. 442 answered with Question No. 407.