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John Bruton Sam Boal

John Bruton reckons Ireland would have become independent without 1916

The former taoiseach said we shouldn’t glorify the Easter Rising.

FORMER TAOISEACH JOHN Bruton has claimed that Irish independence would have been achieved without the 1916 Rising, saying the event should not be glorified.

His comments come as the country prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of the Rising next year, with commemorative events beginning in January.

In an interview with UTV Ireland this week, Bruton claimed that independence from the United Kingdom would have been achieved through constitutional means, without the need for violence, albeit not as quickly.

“If we hadn’t had the rebellion, we probably would have proceeded – maybe not quite as quickly – to full independence by constitutional methods,” he said.

He said the enactment of Home Rule had provided legislative independence and there was, in his view, no need for the war of independence which followed the Rising.

“Looking back at Irish history, Home Rule was enacted two years before the Rising in Dublin and was already on the statute book and was going to come into effect anyway.

So there was probably, in my view, no need at all for the killing that took place between 1916 and 1923.

“Of course we must commemorate and remember the heroism and the sacrifice of the people who rose in 1916,” he said.

But we shouldn’t glorify it. We should remember that most of the things that were really important – the reform of the Land Laws, the achievement of legislative independence – were already achieved without 1916.

In the same interview, the former Fine Gael leader ruled out running for the presidency.

He said “the constraints of that office are quite considerable” and that his present position allows him to say things that are controversial.

Last year, Bruton was criticised for describing the Rising as “a mistake”.

Read: 5 ways John Bruton has probably annoyed the government over the last few years

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Oct 1st 2014, 8:41 AM

    If you are going to make a mistake MAKE A BIG ONE

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    Mute neeneee
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    Oct 1st 2014, 8:56 AM

    Dislike tesco,their products and staff

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    Mute Emily Elephant
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    Oct 1st 2014, 9:12 AM

    It was much more than a mistake though. They made a deliberate decision to book revenue from suppliers at a particular stage. Even if that didn’t break the rules, it’s the sort of aggressive policy that rarely ends well.

    And the bigger story is that more than a fifth (possibly even more) of Tesco’s profit comes from payments from *suppliers*. That is only sustainable while you dominate the consumer end. Real trouble ahead.

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    Mute Linda Hughes
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    Oct 1st 2014, 11:24 PM

    Me to the staff are rude, unhelpful, surly and they do not smile, continue doing what they are doing when a que is building up and then have an attitude when they have to serve you. I stopped shopping in Tesco a long time ago and would never go back

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    Mute Deirdre Mallin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 8:44 AM

    Aldi people know now every lidl helps!

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    Mute Darren Mullen
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    Oct 1st 2014, 10:09 AM

    They should be under the microscope for the outrageous prices they charge.

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    Mute Jill Antrop
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    Oct 1st 2014, 9:16 AM

    One of their butchers must have been doing the accounts so

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    Mute Andy
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    Oct 1st 2014, 11:57 AM

    Tesco is sh*t. Their meat is crap, I won’t say the staff are rude, I just don’t think they care. Their prices are absolute nonsense, 30 quid gets you a barely half full bag of shopping – ridiculous!

    If you’re not a major fan of lidl or aldi, and sick of Tesco using your hard earned golds to fill their accounting holes then Dunnes is your man!

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    Mute Grainne Gavin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 11:08 AM

    In fairness Tesco prices are very high, and people just cant afford to shop there anymore, i only go to Tesco for washing powder, and if they have a deal on something other than that wouldn’t go near the place.

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    Mute Jim
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    Oct 1st 2014, 8:46 AM

    You can get everything you want under the tree at Spar

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    Mute Sheik Yerbouti
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    Oct 1st 2014, 8:55 AM

    The person who stands up and says, “This is stupid,” either is asked to `behave’ or, worse,
    is greeted with a cheerful “Yes, we know! Isn’t it terrific!” FZ

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