Irishmen to be awarded citizenship of Spain after 70 years

Sunday Business Post, December 07, 2008 - By John Burke

The last two surviving Irishmen who fought as members of the anti-fascist International Brigades in the Spanish civil war are to be awarded citizenship of Spain, more than 70 years after the fighting ended.

Dubliners Bob Doyle and Paddy Cochrane, both of whom are now 94 years old, have applied to the Spanish authorities to hold dual citizenship arising from recent legislation in the Spanish congress of deputies.

Bob Doyle’s son, Robert Doyle jnr, forwarded the application on his father’s behalf in the past fortnight, he told The Sunday Business Post last week. A family representative of Paddy Cochrane also applied to the Spanish authorities on the veteran’s behalf, via the International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT), Marlene Sidaway, secretary of the British-based trust said.

The Irishmen did not take up an offer several years ago from the socialist government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero - which was extended to non-Spaniards who fought against Franco’s anti-communist force in the 1936 to 1939 civil war - as they would have had to give up their Irish citizenship in exchange.

Under the new law, however, non-Spaniards are entitled to retain their original citizenship.

Robert Doyle jnr told this newspaper that his father’s health was deteriorating rapidly since he returned from a trip to Spain in early November.

Doyle said he hoped the award of citizenship would be made to his father ‘‘before it is too late’’.

Both Doyle and Cochrane have lived in Britain for decades.

Note on Bob's health

I was in touch with Harry Owens on Dec. 12th who informs us that since this interview with Robert Doyle, that Bob has been released from hospital, where he had been getting treated for dehydration. Bob has got his appitite back and is looking forward to a quiet Xmas at home with his family.

Ciaran, Belfast, 12th Dec. 2008