AN IRISH councillor has called on London’s Imperial War Museum to return a Tricolour, taken from the city in 1916, in time for the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Sinn Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan has written to the museum’s director Diane Lees to request the return of the flag, which was captured by British Forces of the 4th Battalion of the Leinster Regiment in Limerick on May 6, 1916 following the Easter Rising in Dublin.
“It would be fitting if the flag was returned to Limerick in time for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising which will be a very important event both in Limerick and nationally,” Councillor Quinlivan said.
“Many events will take place across Ireland and the world to commemorate this hugely important event which gave birth to the free Irish nation. This flag should be returned to form a centrepiece of Limerick’s centenary commemoration in 2016.”
Cllr Quinlivan said he was currently awaiting a response from the Imperial War Museum.
“I have also contacted a number of groups and individuals in London to encourage them to make representations to the Imperial War Museum for the return of the flag,” he added.
“I look forward to the flag being returned to Limerick where it rightfully belongs and where it will serve as a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and liberty for our freedom.”
