THERE were calls last night for a memorial wall erected in memory of all those who died during the 1916 Rising to be restored on the 105th anniversary.
The Necrology Wall was built at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin five years ago, on the centenary of the 1916 Rising, and includes the names of all 485 people who died in the rebellion.
However, the wall has been vandalised a number of times, most recently in February 2020.
Since then, its been covered in tarpaulin as Glasnevin Cemetery decides what to do next.
Further names were due to be added to the walls as part of the centenary of commemorations.
However the board of the Dublin Cemeteries Trust has said it has paused making further inscriptions on the wall.
It says a review of the long-term safety implications of the wall is under way but it says this process has been "hampered" due to Covid-19.
Ann and Fred Barkers, who's 15-year-old relative, Eleanor Warbrook died in 1916, said they were "disgusted" that the the memorial was still covered up, more than a year after it was last vandalised.
Ms Barkers said: "To leave it that way, it's just like putting these children back into the dark again."
Broadcaster Joe Duffy, who wrote a book about the children who died during the Easter Rising said it was "shameful" that the memorial had not yet been restored.
"Everyone who died in the Easter Rising is on that wall," he said.
"It's the only place in the world where that exists. And now it's covered in what it looks to me like black plastic binliners. It's shameful.
"We shouldn't give in to vandalism. Those people behind that black plastic should be remembered. I'm asking Glasnevin Trust to take down that plastic, to tear down that plastic from that wall."
