Reaction of post primary students

On Monday at the beginning of a transition year and fifth year religion class I asked the students before blessing themselves to pray for the two soldiers who had been killed in Antrim the previous day.

The pupils are between 16 and 18, which means they have no lived experience about the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland.

Twenty years ago in a similar situation there quite probably might be someone in the class, for whatever reason, who would attempt to make some comment about 'striking a blow' for Irish freedom.

Last Monday there was nothing but unanimous sadness for the two soldiers who had been killed. It was also discernible that the young people in the two classes were not in any way interested in political events in Northern Ireland. It is not an issue for them, no more than what goes on in the council rooms of Kerry County Council. Again, 20 years ago it would have been different.

The three murders this week are a stark reminder to us of the terrible past but we are also forced to realise what has been accomplished and what it actually means to live in peace.