Making reparations in Laois for War of Independence and Civil War damage

Reparation for alleged damage to property from the War of Independence Truce to the Civil War in Laois is the subject of a talk during Heritage Week.

Dr Cormac Moore will explain how in 1922 the Irish Distress Committee, later reconstituted as the Irish Grants Committee (March 1923), was set up in London to provide assistance to refugees from Ireland, but later extended its activities to granting loans to persons having valid claims against either Government.

Its work was suspended and charged with the responsibility of discovering whether any further action with regard to
persons who had suffered injury to persons or property in Ireland since 11 July 1921 was necessary.

The recommendations of this Committee led to the appointment of a second Irish Grants Committee in October 1926 with wider terms of reference which laid special emphasis on the plight of loyalists in southern Ireland who had suffered hardship or loss between 11 July 1921 and 12 May 1923.

Organised by the Laois County Library, the event takes place on at Mountrath Library on Shannon Street. Eircode: R32 D576.
For details email: wlawler@laoiscoco.ie Telephone: 087 415 4769

It takes place on Thursday, August 17 at 6.15pm.

Heritage Week runs from August 12 to 20.