Taoiseach called on to invite Andy Burnham to Louth
Taoiseach should invite British Labour MP Andy Burnham to Drogheda, says Louth TD Ged Nash
Louth Labour TD, Ged Nash is calling on the Taoiseach to issue an invitation to Andy Burnham MP, to visit the home of his great-grandfather, in Drogheda.
Deputy Nash explained: “In a matter of days, Andy Burnham MP will become Britain’s next Prime Minister and when he is, I intend to write to the Taoiseach to ask him to invite Mr. Burnham to Drogheda.
“As has been reported, Mr Burnham’s great-grandfather hailed from Drogheda before emigrating to Liverpool with his family.
“Edmund ‘Ned’ Burke worked in the Liverpool docks along with other family members before joining the British Army to fight in World War 1.
“He joined the King’s Liverpool Regiment as a Private and was captured by the Germans a few months after being deployed to the Great War.
“Private Burke spent two years in captivity before tragically dying at 34 years of age on October 28, 1918, heartbreakingly just two weeks before the Armistice and the end of the war.”
Deputy Nash added: “Mr Burnham has spoken publicly of his deep connection to Drogheda and has mentioned his links to the town in the House of Commons. He has told of his great-grandfather’s deep affection for Ireland and his home town of Drogheda.”
The Louth Labour TD said: “Given Mr Burnham’s deep and emotional links to the town, I know he would be warmly welcomed by our community if he was to visit as Prime Minister, and a visit would help enhance the relationships with our closest friends and neighbours, building on the post-Brexit ‘reset’ established by Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.”