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A 400-year old law
declaring the chiefs of Ulster who left the country
during the Flight of the Earls as 'traitors' has
been repealed.
A new declaration, honouring their memories has been
signed by the President, Mary McAleese.
Donegal North East election candidate, Niall Blaney
was informed of the move by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
It comes in the same year as the 400th anniversary
of the Flight of the Earls from Rathmullan which is
being marked by a series of events in the town.
“The repealing of this law will ensure that the
reputation of the Chiefs of Ulster is fully
rectified in Irish history,” said Mr. Blaney.
“It was from Rathmullan that the chieftains fled on
a small ship for Spain all those years ago, before
the Ulster Plantation.
“The law was repealed along with 3,200 others when
the President signed the Statute Law Revision Act
into law."
Mr. Blaney said the Government began the process
three years ago to remove from the Statute book a
number of 'outdate'd laws dating from before Irish
independence.
He added: “It is long past time that Ireland
honoured the memories of the last Gaelic lords of
Ireland.
“This is the final chapter in the long and tragic
story of the Flight of the Earls."
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