Lord Mayor's tribute to Irish war dead

Published Saturday, 07 July 2012

The DUP Lord Mayor of Belfast, Gavin Robinson, has been in the Republic of Ireland laying a wreath for the Irish war dead.

Gavin Robinson (left) and Naoise O Muiri lay wreaths. (© PA)

He was joined by his Dublin counterpart, Naoise O Muiri, for the ceremony at the National Garden of Remembrance at Islandbridge on Saturday afternoon.

They led the tributes to the nearly half a million people from the island of Ireland who served during the First World War - 50,000 of those were killed.

"It is important that along with the Lord Mayor of Dublin I lay a wreath that acknowledges people from the Republic of Ireland and people from the north," said Mr Robinson.

"They collectively spilt blood together and sacrificed themselves for us and it is important that we acknowledge that."

The Queen took part in a similar ceremony and left flowers during her visit last year.

Mr Robinson added: "It is important that we remember and reflect the shared sacrifice."

Comments

2 Comments

John in Co.Armagh wrote (346 days ago):

In respect it is little to late 94 years on from the first war and 67 years on from the second war,now maybe the Government will apologise to the families of those who fought nazi tyranny and were treated so badly by the state led by the biggest disgrace ever to govern Sirmyouthern Ireland Eammon Devlera.

WTF in Ards wrote (347 days ago):

Well done Mr. Robinson. You've already proved to a better (and bigger) Lord Mayor/man than that last one.