Anti-Semitism was rife when Ireland shut the door to Jews seeking refuge

[OnDoutside]

11. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

In 1939, Ireland had only got rid of the British 18 years earlier after a bloody War of Independence and a brutally divisive Civil War, the legacy of which lasted right up to today. In 1938, the British had handed back key naval ports in Ireland. Ireland did not have the resources to fight in a war, and it was utterly unthinkable that they would allow the British Army, Air force or Navy set foot in Ireland so soon after that. Remember many who fought against the British were still in their 30s to 50s by that stage. Those in the minority who expressed support for Germany did so as "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", just as those who expressed support for germany in WW1. Overwhelmingly, they were anti British rather than anti Semitic.

Devalera, as much as I despise him, had very little choice. Either, side with the British and risk another civil war, or stay neutral. Joining on the German side was never an option, even when it was looking bad for the British in 1940. DeValera, insisted that Ireland stayed outwardly neutral, and remained that way to the war's end, even to the point of offering condolences to the head of the German government, Hitler.

That is the context for this "hit piece".