JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......the Brits were under severe pressure in Ireland ; British General Macready wanted a free hand to 'put manners' on the Irish Rebels - martial law , media suppression , clear the roads of traffic , identity cards etc , but his political masters in Westminster said no , that such measures were too extreme . But that was not the real reason why they refused Macreadys demands .......
The British 'spin' regarding Ireland , their 'Big Lie' , was that the 'Truce' was the 'answer' to the 'Irish Question' : Westminster was not worried about being too harsh on the Irish - if Macready's demands were met , the Brit 'spin' would be blown apart . Questions would be asked as to why such measures were needed when the issue had been , as the Brits were claiming , settled .
Macready's 'wish list' , if implemented , would have led to a fresh wave of American support for the IRA , and the British politicians in Westminster knew it . British King George V , Lloyd George and General Smuts sent-out 'peace signals' to the IRA and those they perceived to be its political leaders or representatives . On 11th July 1921 , a 'Truce' was signed .
But British troops and Officers on the ground in Ireland wanted revenge - they bore grudges against the Republican Movement , but were ordered by their political leaders in Westminster to hold back . Or , at least, to do the next best thing .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
THE CASTLE OF MACROOM .......
".......our thirty-mile journey was lessened by our surroundings - bare and rocky glens , the cascading Roughty River , the fresh fields ......."
" The energy displayed by the little rivers and the music they made speeded us on our way , past that "charming spot Glanlee ," over the bridge at Inchees , and uphill again to Sillahertane , where with regret we parted from our cheerful 'comrade' , the River Roughty ; he to turn right for Leaca Ban , while we kept on uphill for Coom .
We needed another companion since we had left the river , and the road to Coom was dreary enough . Soon we had him - someone , thinking of the river , sang John Keegan Casey's song , 'Maire My Girl' -
'Over the dim blue hills
strays a wild river ,
Over the dim blue hills
rests my heart ever .
Dearer and brighter than
jewel or pearl ,
dwells she in beauty there -
Maire my girl .'
Other songs followed until the top of Coom was reached . The rest of our journey would be downhill with the Sullane River from its source to almost where it ended in the Lee , just beyond Macroom . We descended Coom , passed along the valley through Coolea and Ballyvourney and halted at Ullanes for tea . After our food , I believe we could have cheerfully faced another twenty miles , but instead we rested .
The following afternoon saw us marching towards Macroom by the least frequented route we could take . Crossing the nearest road to Macroom at Ullanes , we ascended the ridge of Cnoc an Uir and followed the old disused Kerry Road along Ardeen Hill ......."
(MORE LATER).
' COLONEL OLIVER NORTH WOULD'NT DO ANYTHING THAT REAGAN DID'NT APPROVE ' .......
'The chain of events that has become known as IRANGATE is circling ever tighter around President Reagan . Sean Cronin draws together some of the links in the bizarre story'
First published in 'The Irish Times' newspaper , Tuesday , February 10th , 1987 , page 14 .
Re-produced here in 12 parts.
8 of 12.
Mr. Peres despatched his anti-terrorism adviser , Amiram Nir , to Washington later in December 1985 to convince William Casey , CIA Chief , that Mr. Ghorbanifar was in touch with Iranian Officials who could have the hostages freed . At a National Security Council meeting on January 7th , 1986 , Mr. Casey and Admiral Poindexter pressed for resumption of the arms sales . President Reagan agreed .
The U S Secretary of State , Mr. Shultz , and the Secretary of Defence , Mr. Casper Weinberger , did not agree , and from then on they were cut out of the 'Iran Initiative' . On January 17th , President Reagan signed the now famous document approving the secret arms shipments to Iran . Mr. Casey , as Director of the CIA , was ordered not to inform the U S Congress of the operation .
A memorandum for the U S President was to be drafted by Colonel Oliver North and read by Admiral Poindexter to Reagan ....... .
(MORE LATER).
(NOTE - for those that were'nt paying attention earlier !: the '1169...' crew are away this Saturday , 17th July , for one week (or longer , depending on 'cash flow...') to Waterford for a wee break . Don't forget and check back with us tomorrow for the usual posts ( and just in case Sharon and 'Junior' have changed their minds and decided to stay in the '1169...' Office .......).
