1940's - STATE COPS, SPECIAL BRANCH V IMPRISONED IRA VOLUNTEERS...
County Louth, 1920's - ten IRA Volunteers, some of them armed, a fist-fight with armed representatives of the Crown which developed into guns drawn...and fired. At a funeral held days later, those Crown Force reps were on the lookout for one Volunteer in particular - and they located him...
Dublin, 1940's - the cops and the Special Branch arrived at the same time, with batons drawn ; cops to the front, Branch behind them. Hand-to-hand fighting took place, until the forces of the State withdrew. But they returned shortly afterwards, better armed...
...that's just two of the fourteen stories we'll be writing about on Wednesday, 16th April 2025 and, in no particular order, here's three more -
From 2002 - "bewilderment" was the word used to describe this Leinster House politician's 'dealings' with oil company bosses - was it a lack of sophistication and knowledge of the oil industry norms, or a simple mistake, or...?
Cork, 1920's - 'sauce for the goose...' etc : the British were holding four Volunteers as hostages, so the IRA in Cork put a plan together - and then put it into motion - to give themselves some leverage...
Dublin, 1920's - this British soldier was resting in his flat when he was disturbed by a knock on the door. Had he gone to the window to look out he might have been ok, but he didn't. Instead he answered that he wasn't there (!)...but then he went to the window...
...but there will be 'particular order' on Wednesday the 16th - the first such order is to get yer ass back here then, and bring a friend or two ; the closer we get to 2 million hits, the meaner we get...!
Thanks for reading - see ya on the 16th!
Sharon and the team.
On April 9th, 1919, Westminster notified it's people in Dublin Castle that, on the 10th April, they are to declare that Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Roscommon and Tipperary are to be declared "as being in a state of disturbance" because of Irish Volunteer (IRA) activity, but they left Dublin unlabeled - a mistake on their part, surely...
..for it was also on the 9th April that year that the leadership of the Irish Volunteers got their rebel hands on files on the Volunteers kept by 'G Division' of the British 'police force' in Dublin, the DMP.
The Volunteer leadership organised its ASU's to visit the over-inquisitive 'G men' ('Special Branch') and Volunteer Frank Henderson (the Officer Commanding of the 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IV/IRA) and a number of his men did just that - the 'G men' were beaten up and told they would be shot dead on the next visit if there was a need for a next visit.
Before they were left unconscious, the Branch men were told that they would not be prevented from doing detective work against criminals but would be shot dead if they continued to investigate the rebel Movement.
And the tactic worked ; the rebels were mostly left alone, the criminals were persued.
One 'G man' detective, a Mr Denis O'Brien, resisted and, one evening on his way home, he was arrested in the Mountjoy area of Dublin by Volunteers and beaten up.
He was gagged, tied to railings and told if he didn't change his ways he would get worse treatment the next time, if there needed to be a next time. He backed off.
Another 'G man', a detective sergeant named Patrick Smith (52, pictured, known as 'The Dog'), who didn't back off, was shot dead by the Volunteers on the 9th April (1919) in Millmount Avenue in Drumcondra, Dublin, between 10.30pm and 11.30pm.
Mr Smith had just under 30 years 'service' in the pay of the Crown.
He was shot five times (by Volunteers Jim Slattery, Tom Ennis, Tom Keogh and Mick Kennedy) and died in the Mater Hospital in Dublin from his wounds on the 4th of September 1919.
And just as the Dublin lads were busy on the 9th April, so, too, were the lads in Donegal ; on that date, Irish Volunteers raided the British Army station at Ned’s Point in Inishowen, in County Donegal, and removed all the guns and ammunition.
Most of the British soldiers stationed at Ned's Point were at a local dance, but probably left before Amhrán na bhFiann (the National Anthem) was played...
==========================
GAS LADS...
The massive finds of oil and gas on our western seaboard could ensure Ireland's financial security for generations.
Wealth approximating that of the Arab countries is within our grasp, but the Irish government seems content to sell off our birthright for a handful of votes and a few dollars.
In a special 'Magill' report, Sandra Mara investigates just what we are giving away, and why.
From 'Magill' magazine, March 2002.
There was also a clearly defined understanding that Ireland would benefit from the spin-off industries associated with any such find.
Following an international slowdown in oil exploration and production, in 1985 Labour's Dick Spring modified Justin Keating's well-thought-out 1975 agreement to allow for a sliding scale of royalties and State participation, while continuing to protect Ireland's interests.
In a move yet to be adequately explained, former Fianna Fail Minister Ray Burke met with the oil companies against the advice of one of the most senior advisors in his department.
He subsequently reversed the policies of both Justin Keating and Dick Spring by amending their agreements, abandoning Ireland's right to a 50 per cent stake in any commercially successful find.
In what could only be described as yet a further inexplicable move by any government or business concern, not alone did Ray Burke give away our right to a stake in our own natural resources, but he abolished royalties, while at the same time introducing a scheme which would allow massive write-offs for the oil companies...
(MORE LATER.)
In early March, 1920, the RIC Barracks in Leixlip, County Kildare, was abandoned by Crown Forces who felt, correctly, that they couldn't hold the building in the event of an attack by rebel forces.
The RIC member in charge of the area, a Mr Lane, was transferred to Maynooth (in County Kildare) and the other four RIC members were placed elsewhere in the county.
On the 9th April, the local Irish Volunteers/IRA finalised their plan to destroy the building and, on the 10th, they did just that.
Indeed, throughout the 32 Counties, in April 1920, more than 100 enemy barracks were either blown up or burned down (as were about 100 income tax offices) and, between April and May that year (1920), over 300 enemy barracks were destroyed.
By October of that year it was reported that some 600 barracks in all had been destroyed or damaged (since January 1919).
All very fine and dandy, we're sure, but we're wondering if Mr Lane had time to settle in to his new position before that, too, was burned out from under him...?!
..and we also wonder if Mr Lane realised how lucky he was, compared to two of his RIC colleagues - a Mr William Finn and a Mr Daniel McCarthy - who were shot dead on the 9th April that year in an IV/IRA ambush on a three-member RIC patrol at Lackamore Woods (between Rearcross and Newport) in County Tipperary. A third RIC member, a Mr Byrne, was wounded in that ambush.
In revenge attacks, the Crown Forces burned down eight creameries in the area (a total of 48 creameries were attacked by the British military, with varying level of destruction, during their campaign against Irish republican forces in this country).
Finally, IV/IRA Volunteer Patrick Morrissey (28, aka 'John Walsh'), Cork Number 1 Brigade, was shot during a raid on a house at Pilmore, near Youghal, in County Cork, on the 8th April, 1920.
The poor man died in the North Infirmary Hospital in Cork City from septicaemia and haemorrhage on the 9th April.
RIP Volunteer Patrick Morrissey.
==========================
THE NUMBER'S UP...
How some famous gambling conspiracies came to light.
By Con Houlihan.
From 'Magill' Magazine Annual 2002.
The hurdler 'Gay Future' was owned by a Cork builder, Tony Murphy, and was trained in a small stable in Scotland by a gentleman farmer called Collins.
That of course was an element in the plot - sending over a runner from Ireland would attract attention.
'Gay Future' was backed in betting shops, doubled and trebled with two horses from the same stable, and he was such a cut above his rivals that any apprentice jockey could have steered him home.
The conspirators, however, weren't taking chances ; they employed an old friend of mine, Timmy Jones, then the last amateur in these islands and, surprisingly, the bookies at Cartmel didn't recognise him.
His presence didn't bring down 'Gay Future's' price, and all might have been well if a clerk in the head office in London of a big bookmaking firm hadn't a nose for sleight of mind...
(MORE LATER.)
IRA man Maurice Galvin (18), from Tallow, in County Waterford, a Volunteer in the West Waterford Brigade, was 'arrested' by the Crown Forces on the 1st January, 1921, and was being transported by the Crown Forces to Ballykinlar Internment Camp in Abercorn British Army Barracks in Ballykinlar, County Down, in April 1921, when the convoy he was in came to the attention of loyalists near Belfast Docks.
He was bundled into a prison boat on the Lagan River which was then attacked by the loyalists, using mostly 'Belfast Confetti' (ie steel rivets, in this case) and Volunteer Galvin sustained serious head injuries.
Those wounds left him weak and susceptible to illness and, between that weakness, the ill-treatment he received and foul drinking water, he died from "a bad chill and a kidney infection" in Ballykinlar Camp on the 9th April 1921, and was buried in Dangan Cemetery in the Parish of Killeagh/Inch in East Cork on Thursday, 14th April.
RIP Volunteer Maurice Galvin.
On the same date that Volunteer Galvin died, the Brigade Council of the IRA's 3rd Cork Brigade were assembled in a house belonging to a Mr Foley, in an area known as Mualnadruck, near Newcestown, in Cork.
At that meeting, Volunteer Liam Deasy was appointed Brigade O/C (in succession to Charlie Hurley) and Tadgh O'Sullivan (brother of Gearoid) was appointed QM to replace Dick Barrett who had been captured on March 22nd.
Volunteer Gibbs Ross was appointed Brigade Adjutant (he was previously Adjutant of the Schull Battalion) and, after those elections, the details of reprisals against the Crown Forces over its implementation of an execution policy in relation to IRA men captured under arms was discussed and plans made to answer same.
Elsewhere in Cork, on the same date as that meeting was being held (9th April 1921), an ex-British Army soldier, Denis Finbarr ('Din Din') Donovan (21) of 9 Gouldings Terrace, off Barrack Street in Cork, disappeared from his usual haunts.
His body was found three days later with a rosary in his hands at Ballygarvan, near Ballinhassig, about seven miles outside of Cork City ; he had been shot in the head and a label stating 'Spies And Informers Beware' was pinned to his chest.
Mr Donovan had given information to the RIC about recent IRA operations in the area and was arrested by Irish republican forces, questioned, found guilty and executed by IRA Volunteers Dick Murphy and Cornelius McCarthy.
On the date that Mr Donovan was taken in for questioning by the IRA, a Mr Albert Smith (34), an RIC member ('Service Number 71895'), was having his own issues, about 270km (166 miles) north of where Mr Donovan was.
Mr Smith was in a tailor's shop in Lanesborough, County Longford, when - according to the (first) 'Military Court of Inquiry'- he was "accidentally shot dead".
However, a second 'Military Court of Inquiry' concluded that his death was due to homicide, and that he was shot and killed while returning to his barracks from leave.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy...?
On the same date (9th April 1921) that Mr Smith was being measured-up for a wooden overcoat, Archbishop Walsh (72) of Dublin died (and over 200,000 people were to line the streets of Dublin for his funeral on the 14th of that month) and, about 300km (180 miles) away, in the townland of Liscahane, County Kerry, a group of young boys were playing on the town bridge.
They spotted three British Army vehicles transporting Auxiliaries ('H Company'), under the command of a Major John MacKinnon (aka 'The Bogeyman', who was born in India in 1892), driving towards them and knew enough to keep their distance from them - they ran.
The Auxies opened fire on them, hitting two - Daniel O'Driscoll (16) and John O'Sullivan (15).
Daniel, a member of Na Fianna Éireann, was hit in the stomach and locals took him to a Dr Lawlor in the town of Ardfert but he couldn't be saved ; young John was hit three times, but survived to tell the tale.
The leadership of the 2nd Battalion of Kerry No.1 Brigade IRA tasked marksman Volunteer James Cornelius Healy with the job of executing 'The Bogeyman' and sent three other Volunteers as his back-up team - Johnny Riordan, Tommy Barrett and Jack Mason (and it's believed that Volunteers Denis Donoghue, Paddy Kelly, Patrick O'Connor and John O'Riordan also played a part in the operation).
That IRA ASU were made aware that Major MacKinnon and some of his officers would be playing a round of golf on the 15th April on a golf course in Tralee and, armed with a snipers rifle, shotguns and revolvers, they took up positions at the 3rd Green.
When 'The Bogeyman' arrived at the staked-out 3rd, Volunteer Healy, concealed in a tree some distance away, took careful aim and fired one shot, which hit the Major in the head and, before he could fall, a second sniper bullet also struck him in the head.
His golfing buddies dumped their gear and legged it, and at least three of the Volunteers approached the Major and unloaded their shotguns into him.
'The Bogeyman' wouldn't be killing any more children...
Finally, also in Kerry, on the same date that the Major gave his last 'shoot the children'-order (9th April 1921), an ex-British Army soldier, a Mr Thomas Lyons, was drunkingly making his way home from a pub during the British-imposed 'curfew hours' when he bumped into a Crown Force street patrol.
He was loud, as were they, a shouting match developed into a scuffle and Mr Lyons quickly discovered that you don't bring drunken bravado with you to a gunfight ; his ex-comrades shot him in the abdomen and he died from the wound a few hours later.
RIP Daniel O'Driscoll.
==========================
POLITICAL LIFESTYLES IN IRELAND...
From 'Magill' Magazine, January 2003.
Around this time last year, Ireland's most famous psychic, Una Power, gave 'Wigmore' a thrilling preview of what to expect over the coming 12 months.
This peek into the future included a journey across water and a meeting with a fair-haired woman and, believe it or not - and I accept that some suspension of disbelief is required - those predictions came true.
So it is with a heavy heart that I record M/s Powers chilling forecast for 2003 - that President Bush's chief source of opposition will come not from John Kerry, Joe Lieberman or any of the other Democrats revving-up for a kamikaze attack on the White House, but instead from that well-known political colossus, Bruce Springsteen...
(MORE LATER.)
Some of the attendees at the second IRA Convention, 9th April 1922 (at which Joe McKelvey was elected to the IRA’s Executive).
"With regard to the recent burnings of houses of Protestants in the Kildare district, a statement has been issued on behalf of the local IRA pointing out that they had nothing to do with these outrages, and stating that if the perpetrators are apprehended, they will be punished in such a manner as to prevent such cowardly outrages taking place in future.
Protestants in the area are informed that should they require any protection whatever for person or property they will be afforded it on making application..."
- statement issued by the IRA Executive in the Mansion House, Dublin, on the 9th April, 1922, during the reconvened IRA Convention.
Those present proposed, discussed, voted on and adopted a Republican Constitution for the organisation and also voted - narrowly - against setting up a military-type dictatorship in the country.
Volunteer Liam Lynch was appointed as the IRA Chief of Staff, and a seven-man Army Council was elected.
Others in attendance included Sean Lehane, Tom Daly, Florrie O'Donoghue, Liam Deasy, Sean Moylan, John Joe Rice, Humphrey Murphy, Denis Daly, Jimmy O'Mahony, George Power, Michael Murphy, Eugene O'Neill, Sean McSwiney, Dr Pat O'Sullivan, Jim Murphy, Moss Donegan, Gerry Hannifin, Jeremiah Riordan, Michael Crowley, Dan Shinnick, Con Leddy, Con O'Leary, Tom Hales, Jack O'Neill, Sean McCarthy, Dick Barrett, Andy Cooney, Tom Ward, John Lordan, Gibbs Ross, Tadgh Brosnan, Dan Mulvihill, Denis McNeilius, Con Casey, Pax Whelan, Tommy McEllistrim and Michael Harrington.
While the Convention was being held, a Mr William Blennerhasset (a Protestant farmer) was evicted, along with his wife and seven children, from their farm at Culleneghy, Beaufort, near Killarney, in County Kerry, by a group of armed masked men including a man called John Murphy who claimed that his relatives were evicted from the farm prior to 1880.
However, on the 10th April, the local IRA Battalion Officer Commanding, a Volunteer Allman, reinstated Blennerhasset and his family on the farm.
==========================
THE BUSINESS OF THE FREE STATE :
On the 9th April, 1923, a meeting was held between Nationalist politicians and the business community in the Occupied Six Counties to discuss political and societal issues in the changed environment, during which the indifference of the Free State administration to their plight was raised, and it was agreed to seek a meeting with the top political Free Stater, a Mr William Thomas Cosgrave, the 'President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State', to air their concerns.
On the same date as the 'greasy till' was being discussed, Mr Cosgrave's army was raiding the Moloney family home in Cloontismara, Inagh, in County Clare, searching for two brothers, IRA Volunteers Martin and Thomas Moloney.
The two IRA men were found and 'arrested' by the Staters and one of them, Martin, was shot by one of the FS soldiers and died the following day from his wound :
"My son went away about forty or fifty yards.
I saw him standing at Michael Clune’s yard with his hands up, and a few seconds afterwards I saw him fall after a shot had been fired. I went towards him when I saw him fall, and I found him lying on his back, and he told me he was shot.
I saw two soldiers in the yard. I knew one of them, Stephen Foody, but not the other.
My son said : "That man (FSA Private) Collins shot me..."
The man named by him as Collins said "I did not shoot him. It was (FSA Private) Foody shot him..."
Foody said "I fired no shot at him."
My son said again "It was Collins shot me."
Nothing more was said, and three or four of us carried my son home and put him to bed, and after a while undressed him. We then sent for the priest and doctor, and he was attended by Fr Grace, from Inagh, and Dr Hillery of Miltown Malbay. He was removed by an ambulance to Ennistymon hospital..."
- the words of Mr Mortimer Moloney, Martin's father.
Volunteer Martin Moloney died of his wound the next day and was later buried in Inagh Cemetery.
RIP Volunteer Martin Moloney.
==========================
Yis may gear yerselves up for the temporary absence of this blog for 3 or 4 weeks soon, as meself and the Girl Gang are heading off to the Canary Islands in May, as one of the Gang owns a villa there.
The two lads that work on the blog with me will be taking a break, too (in dirty aul Dublin!) and sure we know fine well that everyone is gonna miss us, especially the Gang's husbands, childer and grandchilder etc.
But their aim'll get better...!
Thanks for reading - much appreciated!
Sharon and the team.
Ireland, early 1900's - the 'Special Branch' (political police) of the day were attempting to exert their authority (!) over those that Westminster deemed to be a threat to their democracy (!) so the 'underdogs' investigated into the names and addresses of the curs that were hoping 'to put manners on them' and paid them visits...
Also 1900's - this British Army barracks in the North of Ireland was staffed by young men who were delighted to hear that a 'hop' (a dance) was due to be held in a venue not too far from their base. But they weren't as delighted early the next morning when they returned to barracks...
From the early 2000's - a Mr Ray Burke (pictured), a 'cute hoor' semi-political fox, was put in charge of the hen house...
...just three of the 18 pieces we'll be writing about on Wednesday, 9th April 2025.
So - if ya wanna hear more about curs cussing and/or chickens comin' home to roost, give us a shout on the 9th!
...or maybe you'd be more interested in hearing the full story about these -
Cork, Ireland, 1920's - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy : two British Army 'Military Courts of Inquiry' were held to determine how this Crown Force operative died - as a 'dapper dandy' or a 'holiday maker' returning 'home...'?
Ireland, 1920's - this farmer in Kerry was put off the land, with his family, by armed men, but the IRA intervened on his behalf...
Either way - check back with us on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, for the full skinny (...as we say here in Dublin)!
Thanks for reading - hope to see yis all again on the 9th!
Sharon and the team.
ON THIS DATE (2ND APRIL) 100 YEARS AGO : AN AMALGAMATED FREE STATE FORCE IS BORN.
'An Garda Síochána' - protecting the State and its business interests since 1925 (such as Shell, this pic...)
Officially, the 'safeguarding' of streets, marts and the local citizens seems to have been put on a regular footing in Ireland in 1786, in Dublin, when a body of men were assembled under the banner 'Dublin Police'.
This grouping was replaced in 1814 by Westminster, when an Irish 'Peace Preservation Force' was announced by the then 'Chief Secretary for Ireland', a Mr Robert Peel, to be replaced six years later by a more organised body, the 'County Constabulary', which was organised on a regional basis and shared a common uniform.
Fourteen years later, the 'County Constabulary' was replaced by two organisations, the 'Irish Constabulary' and the 'Dublin Metropolitan Police' (DMP) : the former was re-named the 'Royal Irish Constabulary' (RIC) (which recorded 11,000 members in about 1,600 barracks in the year 1900) and was officially dissolved in 1922 (but not mentally or morally,as far as its members and supporters are concerned) and the latter, the 'DMP', merged with the 'Civic Guard' (renamed in 1923 as 'Garda Síochána na hÉireann') in 1925 and the amalgamated force was named 'An Garda Síochána' on 2nd April 1925, 100 years ago on this date :
'On and from the commencement of this Act the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Gárda Síochána shall be amalgamated and form one force (which force is in this Act referred to as the amalgamated force), and it shall thenceforward be lawful for the Executive Council to train, equip, pay, and maintain such amalgamated force as a police force in Saorstát Eireann.
The amalgamated force shall be called and known as the Gárda Síochána.....'
As far as Irish republicans are concerned, there is little, if any, actual difference between the above-mentioned 'police forces' as they are all tainted either directly by a foreign government or by that foreign government's proxy in this country, north or south of Britain's imposed border.
In short, both the RUC/PSNI and An Gárda Síochána seek to preserve the political status quo and, as such, they are of no benefit to those of us who campaign and work, politically, for a just society in this country.
Robert Peel and his ilk would be proud of both groups.
From this...
A member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP), a British creation in Ireland...
...to this - 
A member of the State 'Garda Síochána', a Free State creation in Ireland.
A history of the former (DMP) will show that between 1836 and 1925, approximately 13,000 men passed through its ranks, some of whom were 'awarded' the 'King's Police Medal' whilst others transferred to the DMP from the 'London Metropolitan Police'.
Other like-minded colleagues joined the gang, having developed a taste for it in the RIC.
This group changed uniforms again on the 3rd April in 1925, and again changed its name - to that of 'An Garda Síochána', but kept its by-now infamous attitude : to defend the State - whether British or the Westminster-permitted 'Free State' in Ireland - by the same methods.
And these are the same methods that pro-Irish, anti-migrant/foreign vagrant supporters have experienced from that State militia, whatever it may call itself.
Since their inception, the State 'Police Force' have attempted to present themselves as a 'neutral' body, dedicated to 'keeping peace' in society, regardless of the circumstances : the truth, as known by those of us who have 'dared' to challenge this unjust system, is much different - they see their position as one in which to preserve the status quo, whether same is dictated to them from the EU, Westminster or Leinster House.
They may not know it yet but one day (soon, hopefully!) they will have to change again, but this time it will be more than just a change of uniform...
On this date (2nd April) in 1919, the Second (32-County) Dáil Éireann (pictured) held a meeting to elect/confirm its departments and officers.
Éamon de Valera was elected Príomh-Aire (President), Arthur Griffith (Home Affairs), George Plunkett (Foreign Affairs), Eoin MacNeill (Industries), Cathal Brugha (Defence), Robert Barton* (Agriculture), Countess Markievicz (Labour), WT Cosgrave (Local Government) and Michael Collins, (Finance).
Seán T. O’Kelly was elected Ceann Comhairle.
Three non-cabinet appointments were also announced - Laurence Ginnell elected as Director of Propaganda, Robert Barton* as Director of Agriculture and Ernest Blythe as Director of Trade and Commerce.
The Dáil session was held over three days, and 52 TDs attended, which was the largest of any of the Dáil sessions which took place between 21st January 1919 and 10th May 1921.
Proper business was done, whereas the political institution in this State now, in Leinster House, is a farcical and expensive waste of space.
==========================
GAS LADS...
The massive finds of oil and gas on our western seaboard could ensure Ireland's financial security for generations.
Wealth approximating that of the Arab countries is within our grasp, but the Irish government seems content to sell off our birthright for a handful of votes and a few dollars.
In a special 'Magill' report, Sandra Mara investigates just what we are giving away, and why.
From 'Magill' magazine, March 2002.
Other experts within the industry allege that many claims of 'dry holes' drilled by the oil companies in the past were in fact positive finds, held over for a later day.
In contrast to standard operating procedures in the world, Ireland has no government officials based on oil rigs operating in Irish waters - instead, they visit the rigs from time to time, and by appointment only.
The State relies on the information supplied to it by the oil companies as to the viability of each site.
In the early day, the then State Energy Minister, Justin Keating, introduced oil and gas exploration taxation, which would protect Ireland's interests in the event of any commercially viable finds.
The tax then was levied at 50 per cent, and gave the State a right to an automatic 50 per cent shareholding in the find, together with royalties in the region of six to seven per cent...
(MORE LATER.)
On the 2nd April, 1920, the 'First Battalion' of the Manchester Regiment of the British Army (pictured) arrived in Ireland (Cork) and overstayed its welcome here by two years.
They were billeted in Fermoy and Kilworth, and were under the command of a Lt Col Gareth Evans and, as they were being transferred to this country, one of their political bosses, a Mr James Craig, was himself being shifted from his position as Parliamentary Secretary for Pensions in the British administration to that of Parliamentary Secretary at the Admiralty (where his new boss was a Mr Walter Long, the 'First Lord of the Admiralty').
All concerned probably had that sinking feeling...
==========================
An RIC man was shot dead in Carlow on the 25th March 1920, resulting in the local IRA leadership having to go 'on the run'.
Volunteer Edward Malone, from County Laois, the Commander of the Carlow Active Service Unit of the IRA (pictured, which, at the time, was fairly well armed - 11 rifles, 6 revolvers, about 50 shotguns and at least 1,000 rounds of ammunition for their weaponry) had already been 'arrested' by the British (on the 22nd November 1919) and was imprisoned in Mountjoy Jail in Dublin.
Volunteer Malone supported, and took part in, the IRA riot in the 'Joy which preceded a brief hunger-strike by the POW's, from late March to the 2nd April that year, even though he was isolated in the prison hospital from his men, and was handcuffed and monitored by prison warders.
They couldn't break the man.
==========================
THE NUMBER'S UP...
How some famous gambling conspiracies came to light.
By Con Houlihan.
From 'Magill' Magazine Annual 2002.
Some professionals are former bookmakers who have chosen a less hectic life, and the bookie knows all too well that the professional isn't above being part of a conspiracy.
You can bet, however, that no professional was involved in the most celebrated conspiracy of this generation - if some professionals had been involved, it might have succeeded.
As it was, the conspirators were woefully naive ; some of them were well known to me, and I wouldn't trust them to rob an orchard.
They were successful in their own professions but, as conspirators, they were non-runners.
The horse at the centre of the plot was a useful hurdler named 'Gay Future', and he was more useful than he seemed, but had been less than busy in his outings before the big day.
The chosen location was Cartmel, a modest racecourse in the Lake District in England, about 25 miles from the nearest big town, Lancaster, and the appointed time was a Bank Holiday ; on such occasions there are meetings at almost every course in Britain...
(MORE LATER.)
The 2nd April 1921 was a very eventful day in Ireland, politically and military :
Volunteers from the 6th Battalion of the Kerry No.2 Brigade of the IRA joined with their comrades from the Kerry No.1 Flying Column (about 30 armed Volunteers in all), under the leadership of Volunteers Tadhg Brosnan (Castlegregory) and Tom O’Connor (Milltown) and ambushed British soldiers at Glenbeigh Railway Station.
There were no casualties on either side, and - caught unawares - some of the British soldiers fled the scene, dumping their rifles behind them, as they knew the IRA would kill them for the weaponry.
However, the 'RIC County Inspector', putting a brave face on their sufferings, claimed that the British Army captured "a Lewis gun and five rifles.." from the rebels!
While that RIC man was inventing armaments, Volunteers from E Company, 4th Battalion, South Wexford Brigade of the IRA were on a fund-raising operation in Killagowan, Oulart, in County Wexford ; a Mr. Oriel Richard Lee (31), who worked for the British administration in Ireland as a petty sessions officer, was at home having been issuing dog licences all day, assisted by RIC member Mr Patrick Eger, of Oulart Barracks, who was in the house with him.
At about 9pm, a knock came to the halldoor and, when he opened it, he was faced by at least two armed Volunteers, Thomas Cullen and Thomas Cosgrave, who instructed him to put his hands up, that they were IRA men and intended to take the money for licences that he had in the house.
With that, RIC member Eger showed himself, armed, and shots were fired by both parties ; Mr Lee died the next day from his wounds.
An RIC member, a Mr Patrick Neary, was accidentally (!) shot and wounded by another RIC member on the 2nd April - he died from his wound on the 11th April in King George V Hospital whereas, in Cork, an ex-British Army soldier, a Mr Thomas Goulding, on being approached by armed IRA Volunteers, escaped with his life by jumping into the River Lee and swimming to the other side.
‘Notice is here by given that anyone who is found loitering or standing at corners will be liable to be shot at sight. The same applies to anyone who is seen on the street of Tullamore with his hands in his pockets or acting in any suspicious manner whatsoever or interfering with or belittling or attempting to beset any member of his Majesty’s forces. We are out to end assassination and murder, and by hell we’ll do it...' - a British Army notice distrubuted in the Tullamore area of County Offaly in April 1921.
That notice was issued following an attack by the IRA on Tullamore RIC Barracks on the 1st April that year.
During that attack, IRA Volunteer Lieutenant Matthew Kane, from Ruddock's Lane in Tullamore, and his nephew, Volunteer John Conroy, were wounded (Volunteer Conroy was removed from the scene by the IRA Brigade Quartermaster, Volunteer Seamus Kelly) : Lieutenant Kane's body was found the following morning (2nd April) at Hophill, Tullamore and, to this day, it is not clear whether he died from his wounds or was found after the gunfight by the British Army and finished off.
In the early hours of the 2nd April, 1921, acting under instructions from IRA Volunteer Peadar O'Donnell, Officer Commanding of the 2nd Donegal Brigade, one group of IRA Volunteers attacked the RIC Barracks on Lecky Road in Derry (during which RIC member Michael Kenny was killed), a second group attacked the RIC Barracks on the Strand Road and a third group, split-up into pairs, was sent out to shoot any enemy forces they came across.
One pair of Volunteers came across an RIC member, a Mr John Higgins, on the Creggan Road and shot him dead, wounding four other RIC members but, unfortunately, two civilians were wounded in the crossfire.
The British Army were somewhat 'jumpy' during the shootings and a BA Private, a Mr James Wright (or Whyte), who was manning a post on Shipquay Street, was accidentally (!) shot dead by one of his colleagues.
On the 1st April, 1921, the owners of coal mines in England announced the slashing of miner's wages by up to a half, which was rejected by the miners who were then locked out of the mines by the owners.
In turn, this was to result in the British Government bringing its 'Emergency Powers Act' into play (enacted in 1920) and sending troops into the coalfields.
On the 2nd April, 1921, an industrial dispute by miners in England began, with the understanding that railway and other transport workers would also down tools but, by the 15th, no such support materialised, and the strikers were forced to call off the pickets and return to work on the 1st July.
But the fact that the system was being challenged by the workers upset the 'Establishment' and, fearful that the working class were organising for an uprising, British armed forces were brought home from Upper Silesia (Poland) because, according to Westminster... "..the risk at home from Sinn Feiners, Communists and other dangerous elements, was sufficiently great to necessitate their return.."
Also, armed troops from Malta and Egypt were ordered back home, the 'Reserve Forces' were mobilised and a special paramilitary ‘Defence Force’ was also raised (which eventually had about 80,000 men).
Westminster was reluctant to pull any troops out of Ireland but, such was their unease with the bravado showed by the workers, on the 8th and 9th of April (1921) they ordered four battalions of their troops to return home from Ireland.
Pity they didn't withdraw the lot of them...
"One night Jennie Kelly, Bob Hamill and myself were on IRA guard duty on a nearby road. A patrol of 'B Specials' came along.
Hugh Duffy (65, a 'postman' for the area) was an advanced guard for this patrol.
It was a fairly dark night and Duffy nearly got past where we were standing before we noticed him. We ordered him to halt and he immediately opened fire on us. We replied vigorously to his fire..."
- statement from an IRA Volunteer who was on guard duty that night.
Mr Hugh Duffy, from Rockberry in County Monaghan, an officially retired British Army soldier, used the cover of darkness to escape his fate that night, but long lay the fox.
On the 2nd April (1921), Mr Duffy's body was discovered at Moylemuck, Lisnalong near Ballybay in County Monaghan, with four bullet wounds in his head, one in his shoulder and one in his wrist.
A notice was pinned to the body -
'Spies and Informers Beware'.
On the same date that one of their spies was executed, a Mr Edward Talbot ('Lord' Fitzalan) was appointed by Westminster as the new 'Lord Lieutenant of Ireland', replacing a Mr John French, and the British Army burned down two houses in Macroom, in County Cork, belonging to IRA Officers Volunteer Daniel Corkery and a Volunteer named Kelleher.
On the 2nd April (1921), the home of a M/s Patrica Hoey, No.5 Mespil Road, Dublin, was raided by Crown Forces.
M/s Hoey told the raiding party that she was just on her way out to pay a visit to her sick mother and they let her go, and entered her house.
She took the route that Michael Collins, Tom Cullen and Alice Lyons were using to get to her house, met them, and warned them to get out of the area, which they did.
Located in her house was a room used by Mr Collins as part of his operations for the Department of Finance, and all the files etc were removed by the raiders -
"The raid was much worse than I thought. Practically the entire record is gone...", Collins said later.
As that raid was taking place in Dublin, a British Army Major General, a Mr Tudor, the 'Chief of Police', was inspecting the RIC garrison and 'D Company' of the Auxiliaries in Galway City.
Mr Tudor stated -
"In the determined stand that you have taken in lifting the terror of the reign of the gunman, I assure you that you have my fullest support...", he declared, and 'The Connacht Tribune' newspaper reported on his inspection thus -
'Having inspected the Auxiliaries, he spoke of the pleasure it gave him to hear from many sources of the excellent discipline of D Company. He congratulated them upon the gallantry shown by a small party of them when ambushed at Kilroe on January 18 last...'
The Kilroe Ambush did not result in the death of any Crown Force members but, in its aftermath, the RIC killed four unarmed civilians.
A Mr Carl Ackerman, a journalist with 'The Philadelphia Public Ledger' newspaper, was a close friend of a Mr Basil Thomson, of Scotland Yard in London, who ran a spy network against the IRA.
On the 2nd April, 1921, Mr Ackerman interviewed three of the rebel leadership in Dublin - Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith and Éamon de Valera.
He reported (and probably not only to his editor and readers) that Mr Collins had told him that.. "..it is only a question of time until we shall have Ireland cleared of Crown Forces..", and any talk of a compromise was dismissed.
Mr Ackerman wrote that Mr Arthur Griffith stated that Lloyd George should call a conference at which peace could be discussed, and he asked Mr de Valera if he would meet with Unionist leader Mr James Craig and de Valera replied that he would meet any Irishman because, once England had left Ireland, internal differences could be resolved amicably.
Whatever else he reported was for the ears of Scotland Yard only...
On the 2nd April, 1921, a British Army Crossley Tender truck in Rathfarnham was making its way to Rathmines, in Dublin, with IRA Volunteer Bernard Nolan in the back of it.
A BA 'spotter' on board thought he recognised another IRA man and he, too - a civilian named Christopher Reynolds - was pulled off the street and put in the back, beside Volunteer Nolan.
As they were driving through Rathmines, the truck stopped and both prisoners were shot and considered to be dead but, even though they appeared lifeless, and were seriously wounded, they were in fact both still alive.
The truck was driven to 'King' George V hospital and their 'bodies' were placed in the hospital guard room under British Army soldiers.
Both men knew if they moved or cried out in pain, they would be finished off, so both of them somehow managed to lie still and silent, until they heard the British Auxiliaries getting back in the truck ; then they moved and groaned loudly, but the Auxies heard them and made their way into the guard room to shoot them again, but were prevented from doing so by the British Army guards, who sent for a Fr Francis Farrington from Aughrim Street Church.
The civilian, Mr Christopher Reynolds, gave a statement to Fr Farrington in which he stated that he was shot in the back, in cold blood, by one of the Auxies, and he died from his wound shortly afterwards.
Volunteer Bernard Nolan survived to fight another day.
While that was going on in Dublin, the IRA in Galway was raiding a house in Kinvara, in that county, searching for a Mr Thomas Morris (57).
They found their man in his sisters house, from which he was removed and shot dead.
Mr Morris, an ex-British Army man and former RIC member, had given information to his old buddies in the Crown Forces which resulted in a raid on a house (a M/s Bridget Quinn's house, perhaps..?) where IRA Volunteers were billeted, leading to their capture.
A notice was pinned to his body, reading 'Spies Beware!'.
In late March, 1921, two anti-republican informers in Manchester, England - Gilmartin and Foy - told their paymasters that at least two IRA Volunteers would be in the Erskine Street Irish Club in Hulme, Manchester, on the 2nd April, taking part in a whist drive (community fundraiser).
The British police raided the event, and a Detective named Harding pulled his gun on IRA Volunteer Séan Morgan, who was pushed out of the way by Volunteer Séan Wickham.
Detective Harding aimed his gun at Volunteer Morgan and fired, killing him ; he then aimed at Volunteer Wickham, aiming for his head, but instead wounded him in his neck.
Three of Mr Harding's colleagues were also wounded in the gunfight.
'For conspicuous gallantry during the combined naval and military operations in the neighbourhood of Lindi, East Africa, on the 10th and 11th June 1917. Though wounded in two places in the legs, he showed exemplary conduct in continuing to stand by the engines (the engine-room artificer in charge having been killed) until ordered on deck for medical treatment...'
James Leach (pictured) was born at Great Island, Kilmokea, County Wexford on the 22nd December 1890 and, at 21 years of age, joined the British Navy ('Number K11874').
On the 19th December, 1917, he was awarded the 'Conspicuous Gallantry Medal' (see above citation) and, in 1920, he took up duty on HMS Rocket (an 'R Class' Destroyer) and was aboard the Fishguard boat, the SS Great Western, on the 2nd April, 1921, when 'he went overboard and drowned'.
His body was not found until the 24th of April, floating in the river at the junction of the Rivers Barrow and Suir, in Waterford.
The court of inquiry found that Mr Leach "..had accidentally fell overboard. No blame attaches to anyone. There is not sufficient evidence to enable the court to form an opinion as to how the deceased came to be in the water.."
His second child was born the day after his body had been found – his wife had not been told of his death until after the birth...
Sad.
==========================
POLITICAL LIFESTYLES IN IRELAND...
From 'Magill' Magazine, January 2003.
"Pigeons are wandering around the station coffee shop..." comes the breathless announcement from the party's community affairs spokesman, Seán O'Neill, clearly a man of exceptionally sensitive disposition,"...they fly into the premises from the adjacent rail station and at times they walk the floor rummaging for scraps of food.
We are now calling on the Mid-Western Health Board to launch an immediate health inspection to ensure that the pigeons do not pose a health hazard..."
It is an article of faith among Irish republicans, of course, that everyone has their part to play in the struggle, no matter how small.
But, you know, sometimes you can take these things too far.
(MORE LATER.)
The 2nd April, 1922, was the day after Mr Churchill and Mr Michael Collins had officially signed the 'Transfer of Powers' document, in which Westminster 'gave authority' to the new Free State regime in Leinster House to govern over this bastard State.
An 'April Fools' joke indeed...
And, on the 2nd April, over 500 pro-British USC members carried out a major sweep of the Cookstown, Greencastle and Draperstown area in County Tyrone ; they detained over 300 men but only four were considered to be members of the IRA. Did Mr Collins sign-up for that, too...
Meanwhile, Mr de Valera was in Dundalk (on the 2nd April) speaking against the 'Transfer of Powers' pact stating, among its other faults, that it placed northern nationalists in the position, by default, of having to recognise the Stormont Administration, and all that flowed from it, as 'legitimate'.
And, in Limerick, the 'Protestant Young Men's Association' premises on 97 O’Connell Street, in Limerick, was damaged by a bomb.
Three day earlier (on March 30th) it had been subjected to gunfire and on March 29th, the Association's pavilion at Farranshone was burned down.
IRA Volunteer Liam Forde, the Officer Commanding of the Mid-Limerick Brigade IRA, condemned the attacks.
==========================
'Dublin Evening Mail Wednesday April 4‐ 1923.
TWO SHOT DEAD.
Shocking Discoveries near Dublin.
MYSTERIOUS TRADGEDIES.
Men’s Bodies Found on Roadside.
The shooting of two young men, whose bullet riddled bodies were discovered on the outskirts of the city at midnight last night, is surrounded in mystery, pending the holding of the coroner’s inquest, which has been fixed for this evening.
The first body, that of a young man, aged about 25 years, was discovered about 11.30 near a farmhouseat Cabra Lane by a party of military who were patrolling the district in an armoured car.
PATROL’S DISCOVERY.
The military were proceeding along the road when they were stopped by an old woman who resides in the locality and who informed the officer in charge that a man had been shot near the Deaf and Dumb school, Cabra Road. The military immediately proceeded to the scene and discovered the body at the spot indicated.
The man was dressed in army breeches, but was wearing civilian boots and black leggings. Portion of the head was blown away and the features were almost unrecognisable.
THE SECOND BODY.
The second body was discovered in the same vicinity. At about midnight a D.M.P. man on duty at the back gate of the Vice regal lodge was informed by a man that a man had been shot on the Navan Road near Cabra Lane. The guard immediately turned out and found the body of a man, whose name is stated to be Joseph Kieran, of 40 Upper Mercer Street. Both bodies were removed to the Mater Hospital where an inquest will be held this evening.
THE VICTIMS.
Today the bodies were identified as Christopher Breslin (26), Mount Tallant Road, and Joseph Kieran (19), of 40 Upper Mercer Street.
Breslin’s body was found in a gateway opposite the Deaf and Dumb Institution. Kieran's body was found on the Navan Road, near Cabra Lane. Particulars gathered today go to show that the shootings were very similar to other dreadful tragedies that have occurred on the outskirts of the city on many occasions, during the past twelve months.
Kieran, who was employed as a messenger in Eastman’s George’s Street, was at his work yesterday, and returned home in the evening at the usual hour. He was last seen alive about 11 o’clock last night at Redmond’s Hill. He was then going towards his home.
MEN IN MOTOR.
A motor car containing a number of men drove up quite close to him. The occupants got out and surrounded him. They carried revolvers and they ordered him to get into the car. He did as he was ordered and the car was driven away.
TAKEN FROM HOME.
The tactics adopted in taking Breslin away were somewhat similar. About 11.40 pm last night a party of armed men called at Breslin’s house, having arrived in a motor car which stopped outside. They asked for Christopher Breslin. He was inside at the time, and when he was told he was wanted he went to the door, where the men were standing. He was told he was wanted and should go with them immediately.
One of them said he would be taken back tomorrow. He was then escorted to the motor car and taken away.
Breslin had been employed as a labourer in the Dublin Corporation. His brother Peader, was killed during the attack on the military policemen in Mountjoy Prison last Autumn.
IRA Volunteers Christy Breslin and Joseph Kieran were 'arrested' separately by Free Staters and killed by them at Cabra, in Dublin, on the 2nd April 1923.
RIP to both of those men.
==========================
Thanks for reading - appreciated.
Sharon and the team.
GAS LADS...
The massive finds of oil and gas on our western seaboard could ensure Ireland's financial security for generations.
Wealth approximating that of the Arab countries is within our grasp, but the Irish government seems content to sell off our birthright for a handful of votes and a few dollars.
In a special 'Magill' report, Sandra Mara investigates just what we are giving away, and why.
From 'Magill' magazine, March 2002.
With such a potentially lucrative new source of gas and oil in Irish waters, the Irish government (sic) has been remiss in not securing a deal that would ensure similar structures and benefits were set up here as part of the licence requirements.
Industry experts say our politicians and civil servants must be held accountable, and explain their actions in exposing Ireland to such losses and in failing to protect our interests.
The initial tax deal was offered as "as incentive" to encourage oil and gas exploration in Ireland, but since 1992 only a small number of wells have been drilled, despite the evident potential of viable finds.
One industry source explained -
"The vast bulk of licences and drilling options or leases are so-called 'frontier licences' that the oil companies can sit on for up to 20 years.
Technology has moved on rapidly, and deep-water production techniques have already been developed for drilling the deep waters of the western Atlantic, but the proper exploitation of our natural resources had been delayed until the oil companies decided when to drill and produce.
Not to fulfil our needs for oil and gas, but their own..."
(MORE LATER.)
THE NUMBER'S UP...
How some famous gambling conspiracies came to light.
By Con Houlihan.
From 'Magill' Magazine Annual 2002.
A bet for them was a kind of 'fix' ; gambling was their drug.
Dostoievsky, the great Russian writer, could tell you all about this species - he belonged to it.
Finally, there is the professional ; you can hardly call him a gambler. He may go for a week or a month without having a bet, as he waits for near-certainties.
He isn't a professional in the true sense ; he doesn't depend for a living on betting, but it is his vocation.
The bookmaker doesn't fear the plunger - indeed, he welcomes him or her with open satchel, and he doesn't fear the compulsive gamblers, as they tend to chase their losses and end up losing more.
He has no fear of the punter, as the odds, after all, are in the bookie's favour, but he fears the person who has the occasional big bet, and has to be very wary in dealing with such bets because, usually, the money is informed.
These are the people he especially fears in the fraught three minutes at the greyhound track.
And, of course, he fears the professional, because he is dealing with a foe as shrewd as himself...
(MORE LATER.)
POLITICAL LIFESTYLES IN IRELAND...
His lavish lifestyle was funded by wealthy admirers.
Time after time, his debts were taken care of by friendly businessmen.
In exchange for giving people access to government leaders, he cheerfully lined his own pockets.
From 'Magill' Magazine, January 2003.
"Well, basically, I'd be going in to radically overhaul the tax system, the transport system and the judicial system..." ,he tells me, "..otherwise I'd just hang around the Dail."
You may, of course, have experienced just the slightest twinge of scepticism when you read that last bit but, at least, like Wigmore, do Brendan the courtesy of having a good laugh.
Wigmore supposes that this whole peace-in-our-time lark is all very well, But I must confess to a twinge of sadness every time I think of those hordes of fine, upstanding young soldiers left sitting around with nothing to do.
Speaking of which, join with me in sympathy for the members of Republican Sinn Féin who are clearly finding it hard to fill the hours in this brave new world of peace, love and understanding ; things have reached a new low in Limerick, where the former warriors for a 32-county socialist republic have been reduced to campaigning against those notorious agents of British imperialism - pigeons - who apparently have been making a dreadful nuisance of themselves at the local railway station...
(MORE LATER.)
Thanks for reading - delighted that ya could make it, even if we nearly didn't : family commitments, and job commitments - never the twain shall meet!
Sharon and the team.
