Jim Shannon: The 1916 Easter Rising rebels were terrorists

Last week at Westminster I put down an Early Day Motion (EDM): 'That this house salutes the courage and bravery of the 116 British Army soldiers and the 16 RIC officers killed also the 368 British Army soldiers and 29 RIR who were injured by the Irish Republicans in the Easter Rebellion 1916.'

We can never forget that the IRA held that rebellion – a failed rebellion to overthrow the government and state but was heavily defeated.

In that unsuccessful rebellion the IRA attacked and killed 116 British Army Soldiers, 16 RIR Officers and wounded 397 personnel.

Let’s get the facts correct – the soldiers and police were killed and injured putting down an armed insurrection and were killed in the line of duty. Let’s recall their bravery and courage of them and put IRA criminals where they belong. As civilians carrying out unlawful activities they were terrorists.

One of the soldiers was Sandy McClelland who is buried in Greyabbey cemetery and another soldier is buried in Donaghadee.

At Greyabbey on Sunday the Royal British Legion (RBL) recalled the bravery of Sandy McClelland, Michael White trying to control a rebellion by criminals.

Sandy McClelland was a hero and he should be remembered as should all the 131 others who lost their lives and the 397 who were injured that the real history of the failed Irish Insurrection of 1916.

Jim Shannon, DUP MP for Strangford