SF calls to end sale of historical documents
The sale of important historical documents to the highest bidder should be outlawed, it was claimed today.
Following the sale of the first draft of the national anthem and the tricolour used in the Easter Rising to anonymous private bidders, Sinn Féin said it would be introducing an emergency Dáil motion.
“Many people were very angry to see irreplaceable historical documents sold off to the highest bidder in an auction hall in Dublin city centre yesterday.
"Such documents are vital to future generations and should be kept in the ownership of the people,” said Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald.
She said the emergency Dáil motion would call for new legislation to prevent the sale or export of valuable items in the future.
“Under current legislation the Government is able to compulsorily purchase items such as the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and paintings of national importance. However there is no legislation for the Government to do this with written documents or archives.”
Sinn Féin will have to wait until the Dáil returns from its two-week Easter recess before it can table its emergency motion.
The sale of 480 items of immense historical and political significance at Adam’s auction house in Dublin yesterday was held to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising this weekend.
But the prospect of these items being sold to private bidders attracted criticism from Sinn Féin and two members of its youth wing were arrested yesterday for causing a disturbance at the auction.
Dozens of gardaí were drafted in to prevent any further disruption to the evening session.
The auction raised €3.5m in total, with the most high-profile item, the first draft of Amhrán na bhFiann Anthem, selling for €760,000.
