Relatives of Michael Collins and Patrick O'Donovan the Minister of State for the upkeep of museums hit out a decision by the National Museum of Ireland to withdraw from public exhibition in 2005 the hat worn by Michael Collins when he was shot dead at Béal na Bláth .

The museum says the decision was taken because a hole in the blood stained cap caused by the bullet is deteriorating and the decision was based on 'modern museum ethics’.

Henry McKean has been speaking to Historians and the National Museum of Ireland.