The chairperson of the 29th Infantry Battalion Association which covers Cavan, Monaghan and Cootehill, has called on the Bishops Conference to re-clarify its stance on covering the coffins of members of the Defence Forces with the tricolour, during Funeral Masses.
Colm Mahony made the calls this morning on the Joe Finnegan Show after it emerged, that a request to allow the tricolour on the coffin during the planned Funeral Mass of the late Denis Barry, who died last week in Monaghan was declined.
Mr Mahony highlighted that the Association's members' concerns are growing around what arrangements will be allowed and facilitated by the Church, and how the matter has become the main topic of conversation during meetings.
He says the Bishops Conference must clarify what the policy is on the circumstance and examine the wording within the policy. Mr Mahony added that the significance of the Flag to members and veterans of the Defence Forces can never be understated and only the Bishops now can address the matter effectively.
"This is a small number of people making this decision," he continued. "I've already spoken to them and I have said that I will address this through the Department of Defence. They said that the Department of Defence does not influence their philosophy or their rules.
"So, it can only be addressed through the Church and through the association of Bishops."
