The Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald today used her speech commemorating Michael Collins to hit out at violent protesters. Ms. Fitzgerald gave her speech today at the annual event, held at Béal na Blath on the 93rd anniversary of the assassination of Michael Collins.
The Minister suggested that the role of women in the State would have been very different if Michael Collins had never suffered an untimely death. Ms Fitzgerald told of how General Collins had a close network of intelligent and courageous women working with him holding key roles in the fight for freedom. She added Collins would never have allowed them retreat from history.
Ms. Fitzgerald also used the speech to criticize what she called ‘violent protestors’ in present day Ireland. “For Collins, disagreement was to be cherished, but interference with the people, their safety and their property was unacceptable,” she said. She added “Fine Gael must never cease in challenging the propaganda that suggests violent protest is virtuous and effective.”
Fitzgerald said to allow the manner of his dying to define him would do a sad injustice to his greatness.