Permission refused for Old IRA Funeral?

Son of Flying Column veteran refused permission to spread Father's ashes on Republican Plot

During the War of Independence, George Lennon was the leader of the West Waterford Flying Column, taking part in nearly twenty actions against Crown forces and later fighting in the Civil War from which he withdrew when it became obvious that it was destroying the country.

He emigrated to the USA in 1946 (due largely to his opposition to Catholic influence on Irish society) , where he became a decicated pacifist , protesting against the Vietnam War.

Lennon was a fighter in his youth and a man of peace in his last years.

Recently, his only son announced his wish to spread his father's ashes on the Old IRA plot in Kilrossanty. However, the Sinn Fein affiliated West Waterford Old IRA Association has refused permission for this and the Department of Defence has declined to allow any military presence at any such ceremony.

The situation has been complicated by Republican Sinn Fein's decision to name one of their branches for George Lennon, without the permission and against the wishes of his family.

It would be shameful for such a man to be forgotten in this manner.