Since then, the volume of requests for presidential pardons has increased and the nature of the pardons sought has changed. The independent Irish State has no responsibility or liability for how justice was administered here before independence. I believe it would be a distortion of Irish history for the independent Irish State to assume responsibility for these convictions by granting pardons. The use of the criminal justice system by the United Kingdom against Fenians, Irish nationalists and Irish republicans is an integral part of Ireland’s history. It would be historically perverse to suggest that, in fact, this was a criminal justice system for which the Irish people are liable and responsible.

Source: The Irish Times March 25, 2026 13:49 UTC