In the 1920's, this man fought tooth-and-nail for the implementation of an Irish republican agenda in a 32-County Ireland, and fought viciously, on a full time basis, for six years, to achieve that objective.
But his political and military 'about face' caught his (ex-)IRA comrades on the hop, and his direct actions personally caused hundreds of people the loss of a loved one.
He lived for a few hours after he happened to meet, by chance, some of the brave men he had described as 'criminals' ; hopefully, he was lucid enough to ponder on all his sins...
In the 1920's, these voluntary 'servants of the Crown' in Ireland were left in no doubt that their servitude was not appreciated by all - those they served were happy to have them on board their imperialist wagon and 'bigged them up', socially, as they knew that was reward enough for them...
This 'Hardman for the Crown' in the Donegal area had forged a reputation for himself among his peer group as a man to be admired : however, those outside that group decided to 'pepper him' into realising that their were others who though less kindly of his actions...
On Wednesday, 10th July 2024, we'll be posting a 26-part blog post in which we'll put the finishing touches and a lot more detail to the above three pieces, and we'll be doing the same to twenty-three other articles. We had hoped to get to a 32-piece posting, but sure yis are all Free Staters out there so 26 should make ye feel at home...!
So if you're passing this way again on Wednesday, 10th July next, give us a shout, won't ya!
Thanks for the visit, and for reading - see ya on the 10th!
Sharon and the team.