Nesbitt: RBL ensuring soldiers killed in 1916 are remembered

Twenty-nine of the 116 soldiers who died 100 years ago were from Irish Regiments,

Mr Nesbitt said: “It was good to see the Royal British Legion take steps to ensure we remembered all who died in Dublin 100 years ago, not just the leaders of the Rebellion.”

He said the Easter Rising was needless.

“No one needed to die that weekend, just as no one needed to die to get us to where we are today, a place where self-determination saw huge numbers vote for peace following the 1998 agreement.

“I look forward to leading an Ulster Unionist delegation to Dublin in ten days time, when we will offer a unionist perspective on the Rebellion, challenging the causes and consequences of what happened.

“The Rebellion was a seismic event, which reverberates today. It cannot be ignored. I am grateful to the organisers of today’s commemoration who have ensured young lives, lost too early and without reason, are not forgotten.”