JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
....... the British had , as they done in every country they 'kept the peace' in , set-up killer gangs to do their bidding on a "nothing-to-do-with-us" basis . In Ireland , there Loyalist killer gangs were active during the 'Truce' .......
A 21-years young Irishman , Murtagh McAstocker , was to the fore with other members of IRA 'B' Company , Belfast , in pushing the Loyalist killer gangs back out of Nationalist/Republican areas ; on 24th September 1921 , as Murtagh McAstocker was walking on Clonallon Street , going towards the Newtownards Road , he was shot dead by a Loyalist gang . He was buried on 27th September in Milltown Cemetery , Belfast , with full IRA honours .
Then (ie 1921) as now , following the 1994 (P)IRA 'Truce' and the signing of the Stormont Treaty ('GFA') in 1998 , the Brits are not standing still ; in 1921 they claimed jurisdiction over the whole island of Ireland - in 1998 (and now) they claim jurisdiction over our six north-eastern counties . 'Truces' , Treaties , Agreements etc will never work until they include a definite date for a British military and political withdrawal from Ireland .
Otherwise , the paper-work only gives the Brits time to re-group , and to put a new coat of varnish on 'the Irish Question' .
[END of - 'JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce'...].
(*Tomorrow - 'Working within British 'law' ; from Daniel O'Connell to the Provos').
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
BURNINGS.......
".......the 'Great House'where the 'Landlords' lived were usually located within walking distance of the local RIC barracks , for security reasons ......."
" ...soon the driveway ends at an arched gateway , beyond which is the yard and rear entrance to the 'Great House' . In front of it and to the left a gravelled walk leads up to the front door . To the right of it , and actually attached to it , a square tower with crenellated parapet looms up . The windows are protected by vertical iron rods , one inch in diameter , set in heavy iron frames , while iron shutters , half-an-inch thick and loopholed for musketry , open outwards on heavy hinges . The basement is a dungeon with small barred windows and stone stairway inside . An outside stone stairs leads up to the next floor which is also of stone , arched and flagged .
That floor is the 'courthouse' , where 'justice' (generally in small quantities) is periodically dispensed to the people of the district . The other floors overhead are the quarters for a British garrison in times of emergency , and were so used during the Fenian period of 1867 . Truly an ensemble reminiscent of Torquilstone and the gentle 'Front-De-Boeuf' .
It was the spring of 1920 ; that year had opened with a general attack on RIC barracks throughout the country - some had been captured and destroyed , some made untenable . The attacks continued and soon the British 'authorities' decided to withdraw the garrisons from certain small barracks remote from centres of relief . Some hundreds of RIC barracks were evacuated and , on the night of 2nd April 1920 , all burned simultaneously ......."
(MORE LATER).
THE CIA : REAGAN'S SECRET ARMY .
Since 1947 , the CIA has been a powerful force in covertly executing American internal and foreign policy . A major book detailing the workings , methods and sometimes incompetence of the secret service - 'The Agency ; The Rise and Decline of The CIA ' , by John Ranelagh , has recently been published .
Gene Kerrigan examines the books findings and assesses the importance of 'The Agency' and the role it has played over the last 39 years .
First published in 'The Sunday Tribune' newspaper , Dublin , 24th August 1986 , page 11.
Re-produced here in 21 parts .
(1 of 21).
Two months after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour (which occured on 7th December 1941) , a Mr. Adams of the town of Irwin , Pennsylvania , wrote to the President of the United States . The President should know , he wrote, that the Japanese were simply terrified of bats : on 9th February 1942 , Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed the letter on to William Donovan with a covering note saying - " This man is NOT a nut ..."
No one checked out the 'bat theory' : it was untrue . William Donovan was 'Mr. U S Intelligence ' ; he headed the 'Office of Strategic Services' (OSS) , forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). For the next several years he organised the dropping of bats on Japan ; sometimes the bats were just slung out of bombers , other times they were dropped by parachute !
When you throw bats out of a plane at high altitude they freeze to death . There is no record of what the Japanese thought of this carry-on.......
(MORE LATER).
(* NOTE - our 'JUNIOR' has deserted his post here at '1169.... Central' , for a 'mini-holiday' (...just can't get good staff these days ...) ; affairs of the heart , dontcha know ... he has assured us (by text !) that the above-mentioned article (*) is under lock and key in his room : when meself and SHARON climbed (!) in there , we could'nt be sure that 'JUNIOR' himself was'nt in the room , never mind find the 'almost finished' copy , such was the state of the gaff !! So bear with us , folks , if we're a bit late with the next post.......and that includes YOU , 'Saer' ! ).
Thursday, July 29, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......Ireland , 1921 , during the 'Truce' ; covert assassinations were carried out by British forces against the IRA , 'shoot-outs' took place between the IRA and the Brits , and IRA Volunteers also died while on drills and in training camps .......
A year before the above-mentioned deaths and assassinations , the IRA in Belfast had been re-organised as 'B' Company , 2nd Battalion , following a meeting in Ballymacarret (in 1920) ; one of its members , 21 years young Murtagh McAstocker , was known by the Brits to be militarily opposed to them ...but he was now 'protected' by the 'Truce' .......
However , as little (and begrudgenly and reluctantly) as the British forces were 'bound' by the 'Truce' , their comrades in the various Loyalist militia (formed , supported , financed and armed by the British Army and their political leaders in Westminster) were not stalled at all by it .
The six-month 'Truce' (July - December 1921) was an opportunity for the Loyalist paramilitary gangs to 'ethnicaly clean' 'their' areas of Catholics/Nationalists , more so than they had been doing prior to the 'Truce' .
And young Murtagh McAstocker was on their list .......
(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.
BURNINGS.
" It is still the same . If you come from the east the half-mile long avenue of lime trees will lead you there . You are at the Mills , Ballyvourney . The hotel where the stage coach stopped on its way between Cork and Killarney still flourishes , though the stage coach has long since passed on , enveloped in the dust of time .
The old bridge which spans the Sullane River is as sound and as picturesque as ever , and, hard by, the Mill buildings are exactly the same , though renovated . And certainly the bloom of the rhododendron and the murmur of the river have not changed . Behind the scene , however, some important changes did take place not so long ago . Up to our own time , Ballyvourney , hardly large enough to be described as a hamlet , was completely overshadowed by a unique feudal machine which functioned there .
A high wall along the main road was pierced by the Lawn Gate which gave access , by a short drive, to the Great House ; let us assume that one day in the bad old times , one has passed through the Lawn Gate on some legitimate business , say paying the 'rent' - he notices that , a few yards to his right , another road runs parallel to his . It leads to the RIC Barracks , which is conveniently near to , but of course not on the same plane as , the Great House . Naturally , it gives him a sense of security to know that the 'law' is behind him as he faces towards the buildings on his left ......."
(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.
[12 of 12].
An updated memorandum in Colonel Oliver North's files - written around April 4th , 1986 - " provided that $12 million of the residual funds from an arms transaction would be used to purchase critically needed supplies for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance Forces ," according to the U S Senate Intelligence Committee report .
Colonel North told the Attorney General , Edwin Meese , that the $12 million figure was " based on what he was told by the Israelis and that he did not know how much was moved to the Nicaraguans - the Israeli (NIR) decided the amount given to the resistance , with no involvement by the CIA or NSC ....." On September 12th , 1986 , the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr. Yitzhak Rabin , offered " a significant quantity " of captured Soviet-bloc arms to the U S for the Contras . The arms were to be picked up on the week of September 15th and delivered to the insurgents .
U S Admiral Poindexter discussed the matter with President Reagan ; Yitzhak Rabin denies that he made such an offer . The report also reveals that Ronald Reagan held 17 meetings with Oliver North , and that others were present at those meetings . At one of them , the CIA Station Head in Costa Rica was with Colonel North . One's conclusion , unsupported by conclusive evidence , is that President Reagan , through his National Security Council staff , was fully briefed on everything taking place regarding Iran and the Contras .
" According to Robert McFarlane , Oliver North stated that McFarlane knew North would'nt do anything that was not approved ," the report says .
[END of - ' COLONEL OLIVER NORTH WOULD'NT DO ANYTHING THAT REAGAN DID'NT APPROVE ....'].
(Tomorrow - 'THE CIA : REAGAN'S SECRET ARMY' - from 'The Sunday Tribune' newspaper , 1986.)
.......Ireland , 1921 , during the 'Truce' ; covert assassinations were carried out by British forces against the IRA , 'shoot-outs' took place between the IRA and the Brits , and IRA Volunteers also died while on drills and in training camps .......
A year before the above-mentioned deaths and assassinations , the IRA in Belfast had been re-organised as 'B' Company , 2nd Battalion , following a meeting in Ballymacarret (in 1920) ; one of its members , 21 years young Murtagh McAstocker , was known by the Brits to be militarily opposed to them ...but he was now 'protected' by the 'Truce' .......
However , as little (and begrudgenly and reluctantly) as the British forces were 'bound' by the 'Truce' , their comrades in the various Loyalist militia (formed , supported , financed and armed by the British Army and their political leaders in Westminster) were not stalled at all by it .
The six-month 'Truce' (July - December 1921) was an opportunity for the Loyalist paramilitary gangs to 'ethnicaly clean' 'their' areas of Catholics/Nationalists , more so than they had been doing prior to the 'Truce' .
And young Murtagh McAstocker was on their list .......
(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.
BURNINGS.
" It is still the same . If you come from the east the half-mile long avenue of lime trees will lead you there . You are at the Mills , Ballyvourney . The hotel where the stage coach stopped on its way between Cork and Killarney still flourishes , though the stage coach has long since passed on , enveloped in the dust of time .
The old bridge which spans the Sullane River is as sound and as picturesque as ever , and, hard by, the Mill buildings are exactly the same , though renovated . And certainly the bloom of the rhododendron and the murmur of the river have not changed . Behind the scene , however, some important changes did take place not so long ago . Up to our own time , Ballyvourney , hardly large enough to be described as a hamlet , was completely overshadowed by a unique feudal machine which functioned there .
A high wall along the main road was pierced by the Lawn Gate which gave access , by a short drive, to the Great House ; let us assume that one day in the bad old times , one has passed through the Lawn Gate on some legitimate business , say paying the 'rent' - he notices that , a few yards to his right , another road runs parallel to his . It leads to the RIC Barracks , which is conveniently near to , but of course not on the same plane as , the Great House . Naturally , it gives him a sense of security to know that the 'law' is behind him as he faces towards the buildings on his left ......."
(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.
[12 of 12].
An updated memorandum in Colonel Oliver North's files - written around April 4th , 1986 - " provided that $12 million of the residual funds from an arms transaction would be used to purchase critically needed supplies for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance Forces ," according to the U S Senate Intelligence Committee report .
Colonel North told the Attorney General , Edwin Meese , that the $12 million figure was " based on what he was told by the Israelis and that he did not know how much was moved to the Nicaraguans - the Israeli (NIR) decided the amount given to the resistance , with no involvement by the CIA or NSC ....." On September 12th , 1986 , the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr. Yitzhak Rabin , offered " a significant quantity " of captured Soviet-bloc arms to the U S for the Contras . The arms were to be picked up on the week of September 15th and delivered to the insurgents .
U S Admiral Poindexter discussed the matter with President Reagan ; Yitzhak Rabin denies that he made such an offer . The report also reveals that Ronald Reagan held 17 meetings with Oliver North , and that others were present at those meetings . At one of them , the CIA Station Head in Costa Rica was with Colonel North . One's conclusion , unsupported by conclusive evidence , is that President Reagan , through his National Security Council staff , was fully briefed on everything taking place regarding Iran and the Contras .
" According to Robert McFarlane , Oliver North stated that McFarlane knew North would'nt do anything that was not approved ," the report says .
[END of - ' COLONEL OLIVER NORTH WOULD'NT DO ANYTHING THAT REAGAN DID'NT APPROVE ....'].
(Tomorrow - 'THE CIA : REAGAN'S SECRET ARMY' - from 'The Sunday Tribune' newspaper , 1986.)
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
..........the Brits could not always find the patience to set-up covert assassinations in their desire to take revenge on Irish Republicans during the 'Truce' ; gun-battles broke out on occasion between the IRA and British forces .......
A number of IRA Volunteers died in those shoot-outs ; Luke Killian , from Crith in County Roscommon , in August 1921 / Belfast-man Fred Fox , shot dead in a gun-battle , that same August / Christy McEvoy , a Dublin man , died in early November 1921 / Declan Hurton , from Ardmore in Waterford , shot dead by the Brits on 9th November 1921 and Belfast man David Morrison , who died in a shoot-out on 27th December 1921 .
Other IRA Volunteers died in that same year (1921) but not as a direct result of British military activity ; the following is a list of IRA activists that we know of that died on drills , in training camps or elsewhere -
- County Tipperary man Mossie (Maurice) Magarth (July) ; Patrick Tubridy , a Limerick man , died 21st August ; Dublin men Michael O'Brien and James Henry Doyle (8th September and 11th November respectively) and Newry men Hugh O'Hare (22nd October) and Harry McKigney , 7th November 1921 .......
(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 .......
".......we had been hours in hiding , waiting to ambush the Brits who were , we felt, not now going to show . We wanted to take the fight to them now , as they were not apparently coming to us ......."
" In vain we asked for permission to rush the British soldiers at the Castle gate and , at least, shoot up the Castle as some small compensation for our crippled condition . As I picked up my Lewis-Gun I envied Sean Rua an Ghaorthaigh and his old musket . His single successful shot at the candle had also wrecked the peace of mind of his enemies and cheered him on his way up Sleibhin .
He had made his presence felt , while we had come and were now retiring unknown to our enemies . A plea for mercy had saved the Loyalist's house from the flames , and stopped our operation .
Well , "...it blesseth him that gives , and him that takes ....." . "
[END of - ' THE CASTLE OF MACROOM .......'].
(Tomorrow - 'BURNINGS....').
' 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.
11 of 12.
On May 15th , 1986 , American President Ronald Reagan approved the 'McFarlane mission ' , and the delegation flew to Europe and Israel on May 23rd-25th . With Robert McFarlane were Colonel Oliver North and another member of the NSC Staff , Howard Teischer . A CIA Officer , George Cave , served as interpreter ; the discussions ran from May 25th to 28th - nothing was accomplished and the 'McFarlane mission' returned home empty-handed .
There is little hard information on the diversion of funds to the Contras ; the first mention in the U S Senate Intelligence Committee report has of it is in January 1986 during discussions between Colonel Oliver North and the Israeli Prime Minister's adviser , Amiram Nir . Colonel North mentioned support for the Contras and Mr. Nir said funds from the arms sales to Iran could be used for that purpose .
Oliver North turned down Amiram Nir's suggestion that " ...U S funds to Israel or Israel's own funds could be used ..." to support the Contras .......
(MORE LATER).
(Sharon's on her way to getcha , 'SAER' - told ya we can organise housecalls !! The rest of ya can just check out the 'GUESTBOOK' to see what I'm on about.....and , while you're there - sign the bleedin' thing .....)
..........the Brits could not always find the patience to set-up covert assassinations in their desire to take revenge on Irish Republicans during the 'Truce' ; gun-battles broke out on occasion between the IRA and British forces .......
A number of IRA Volunteers died in those shoot-outs ; Luke Killian , from Crith in County Roscommon , in August 1921 / Belfast-man Fred Fox , shot dead in a gun-battle , that same August / Christy McEvoy , a Dublin man , died in early November 1921 / Declan Hurton , from Ardmore in Waterford , shot dead by the Brits on 9th November 1921 and Belfast man David Morrison , who died in a shoot-out on 27th December 1921 .
Other IRA Volunteers died in that same year (1921) but not as a direct result of British military activity ; the following is a list of IRA activists that we know of that died on drills , in training camps or elsewhere -
- County Tipperary man Mossie (Maurice) Magarth (July) ; Patrick Tubridy , a Limerick man , died 21st August ; Dublin men Michael O'Brien and James Henry Doyle (8th September and 11th November respectively) and Newry men Hugh O'Hare (22nd October) and Harry McKigney , 7th November 1921 .......
(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 .......
".......we had been hours in hiding , waiting to ambush the Brits who were , we felt, not now going to show . We wanted to take the fight to them now , as they were not apparently coming to us ......."
" In vain we asked for permission to rush the British soldiers at the Castle gate and , at least, shoot up the Castle as some small compensation for our crippled condition . As I picked up my Lewis-Gun I envied Sean Rua an Ghaorthaigh and his old musket . His single successful shot at the candle had also wrecked the peace of mind of his enemies and cheered him on his way up Sleibhin .
He had made his presence felt , while we had come and were now retiring unknown to our enemies . A plea for mercy had saved the Loyalist's house from the flames , and stopped our operation .
Well , "...it blesseth him that gives , and him that takes ....." . "
[END of - ' THE CASTLE OF MACROOM .......'].
(Tomorrow - 'BURNINGS....').
' 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.
11 of 12.
On May 15th , 1986 , American President Ronald Reagan approved the 'McFarlane mission ' , and the delegation flew to Europe and Israel on May 23rd-25th . With Robert McFarlane were Colonel Oliver North and another member of the NSC Staff , Howard Teischer . A CIA Officer , George Cave , served as interpreter ; the discussions ran from May 25th to 28th - nothing was accomplished and the 'McFarlane mission' returned home empty-handed .
There is little hard information on the diversion of funds to the Contras ; the first mention in the U S Senate Intelligence Committee report has of it is in January 1986 during discussions between Colonel Oliver North and the Israeli Prime Minister's adviser , Amiram Nir . Colonel North mentioned support for the Contras and Mr. Nir said funds from the arms sales to Iran could be used for that purpose .
Oliver North turned down Amiram Nir's suggestion that " ...U S funds to Israel or Israel's own funds could be used ..." to support the Contras .......
(MORE LATER).
(Sharon's on her way to getcha , 'SAER' - told ya we can organise housecalls !! The rest of ya can just check out the 'GUESTBOOK' to see what I'm on about.....and , while you're there - sign the bleedin' thing .....)
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
.......continued from Friday , 16th July last .........Great to be back - FAILTE !
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......ordered not to take military action against the IRA while the 'Truce' was in effect , British troops , the Black and Tans , the Auxiliaries and the RIC/RUC were 'chomping at the bit'; they wanted revenge on Irish Republicans , but could not take it 'Officially' or 'Legitimately'.......
The Brits took to assaulting civilians in the hope that the IRA would , at least in a local area , break the 'Truce' - when this tactic failed , the British forces in Ireland went 'underground' ie revenge attacks on known IRA Volunteers , with no claim of responsibility .
In Limerick , on 15th August 1921 , IRA Volunteer John Pigget was shot dead by British forces ; on 31st October 1921 , IRA Volunteer Walter Coen was shot dead in Ballinrobe , County Mayo and , on 26th December 1921 , IRA Volunteer James Hickey was shot dead in Knocknagoshel in County Kerry . In less clandestine operations , that is, when the Brits could'nt be bothered setting-up covert assassinations , they broke the 'Truce' quite openly and gun-battles ensued ...
...a number of IRA Volunteers died in those shoot-outs :
(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 .......
".......we were going to set fire to a pro-Brit loyalists house near the Castle in order to draw the enemy out ; the Auxiliaries partied in that same house almost every night , so the owner had it coming ......."
"............we hoped that a strong group would leave the Castle to try and save the house - in that event we would take action ; if a large party left , and conditions looked favourable , we would try to seize the Castle itself . Let the party be large or small - we would seize the gate in any case , and hold it against them on their return . At the same time we would keep the garrison of the Castle indoors .
Arrangements had been made for the Macroom men and a section of our IRA Column to attack outside the gates . For hours we waited motionless , watching for that glow in the sky : it never appeared . Midnight came and with it the order to retire . We were never nearer mutiny ....
....we all wanted to take action of some sort against the enemy ......."
(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.
10 of 12.
From March to May 1986 , arrangements were made for a high-level meeting of American and Iranian Officials . This was the one led by Robert McFarlane , who carried an Irish passport bearing the name 'Sean Devlin' . Iran now wanted Harpoon and Phoenix missiles but America was not willing to sell . Manucher Ghorbanifar , the Iranian arms dealer , as the 'go-between' , asked for spare parts for the Hawk missile system , promising that when the delegation arrived in Tehran with them , all the hostages would be released .
At one of these meetings the Americans discussed with Ghorbanifar what passports they would carry . It was also arranged how payment would be made and where it would go ; Iran would pay $17 million into an Israeli account , of which $15 million would be moved into " a private U S corporation account ." Of that amount , $3.65 million would go to the CIA to cover the Hawk missile parts .
Several hours after the arrival of the American delegation in Tehran , the hostages would be released ; eight hours later , the Hawk parts would be delivered ........
(MORE LATER).
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......ordered not to take military action against the IRA while the 'Truce' was in effect , British troops , the Black and Tans , the Auxiliaries and the RIC/RUC were 'chomping at the bit'; they wanted revenge on Irish Republicans , but could not take it 'Officially' or 'Legitimately'.......
The Brits took to assaulting civilians in the hope that the IRA would , at least in a local area , break the 'Truce' - when this tactic failed , the British forces in Ireland went 'underground' ie revenge attacks on known IRA Volunteers , with no claim of responsibility .
In Limerick , on 15th August 1921 , IRA Volunteer John Pigget was shot dead by British forces ; on 31st October 1921 , IRA Volunteer Walter Coen was shot dead in Ballinrobe , County Mayo and , on 26th December 1921 , IRA Volunteer James Hickey was shot dead in Knocknagoshel in County Kerry . In less clandestine operations , that is, when the Brits could'nt be bothered setting-up covert assassinations , they broke the 'Truce' quite openly and gun-battles ensued ...
...a number of IRA Volunteers died in those shoot-outs :
(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 .......
".......we were going to set fire to a pro-Brit loyalists house near the Castle in order to draw the enemy out ; the Auxiliaries partied in that same house almost every night , so the owner had it coming ......."
"............we hoped that a strong group would leave the Castle to try and save the house - in that event we would take action ; if a large party left , and conditions looked favourable , we would try to seize the Castle itself . Let the party be large or small - we would seize the gate in any case , and hold it against them on their return . At the same time we would keep the garrison of the Castle indoors .
Arrangements had been made for the Macroom men and a section of our IRA Column to attack outside the gates . For hours we waited motionless , watching for that glow in the sky : it never appeared . Midnight came and with it the order to retire . We were never nearer mutiny ....
....we all wanted to take action of some sort against the enemy ......."
(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.
10 of 12.
From March to May 1986 , arrangements were made for a high-level meeting of American and Iranian Officials . This was the one led by Robert McFarlane , who carried an Irish passport bearing the name 'Sean Devlin' . Iran now wanted Harpoon and Phoenix missiles but America was not willing to sell . Manucher Ghorbanifar , the Iranian arms dealer , as the 'go-between' , asked for spare parts for the Hawk missile system , promising that when the delegation arrived in Tehran with them , all the hostages would be released .
At one of these meetings the Americans discussed with Ghorbanifar what passports they would carry . It was also arranged how payment would be made and where it would go ; Iran would pay $17 million into an Israeli account , of which $15 million would be moved into " a private U S corporation account ." Of that amount , $3.65 million would go to the CIA to cover the Hawk missile parts .
Several hours after the arrival of the American delegation in Tehran , the hostages would be released ; eight hours later , the Hawk parts would be delivered ........
(MORE LATER).
Sunday, July 25, 2004
1169 AND COUNTING.......
Irish history , Irish politics ; from today and yesterday - all 32 Counties !
Bhi an saoire caite inne (the holiday was over yesterday). We're back from Contae Phort Lairge (County Waterford) and rarin' to go ....... (...almost !)
The '1169....' crew are back in Dublin after a week in County Waterford and we are .... not quite 'rarin' to go ' ! That's the trouble with holidays - ya need a few days to recover from them ! Sharon is doing her 'Dido' thing (ie 'Sand in My Shoes') and Junior took-up with some young-one in Tramore (ironically , she's from Dublin , too!) and the texts are flying between them !
So he's doing his 'Osmonds' thing (ie '....and they call this puppy love ...') and..... me? - well.. Sharon misses the beach (and , therefore , so must I) and Junior's floating around on a cloud humming 'chucky's in love ...'.
I have to console the pair of them (wimps!) and ease them gently back to get the 'blog' up and running . Won't be long now ; any complaints , leave them in the 'Guestbook' but remember - we know where ya live , and we know people who do house-calls .....!
Good luck ...for now . Back soon !
Irish history , Irish politics ; from today and yesterday - all 32 Counties !
Bhi an saoire caite inne (the holiday was over yesterday). We're back from Contae Phort Lairge (County Waterford) and rarin' to go ....... (...almost !)
The '1169....' crew are back in Dublin after a week in County Waterford and we are .... not quite 'rarin' to go ' ! That's the trouble with holidays - ya need a few days to recover from them ! Sharon is doing her 'Dido' thing (ie 'Sand in My Shoes') and Junior took-up with some young-one in Tramore (ironically , she's from Dublin , too!) and the texts are flying between them !
So he's doing his 'Osmonds' thing (ie '....and they call this puppy love ...') and..... me? - well.. Sharon misses the beach (and , therefore , so must I) and Junior's floating around on a cloud humming 'chucky's in love ...'.
I have to console the pair of them (wimps!) and ease them gently back to get the 'blog' up and running . Won't be long now ; any complaints , leave them in the 'Guestbook' but remember - we know where ya live , and we know people who do house-calls .....!
Good luck ...for now . Back soon !
Friday, July 16, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......the 'Truce' between the Brits and the IRA came into effect on July 11th , 1921 ; but British soldiers and Officers in Ireland wanted revenge on Irish Republicans for past deeds , but their political leaders in Westminster told them any such action could jeopardise the peace talks - unless of course , such revenge attacks were carried-out in a manner by which it would not be clear who inflicted the injuries on , or caused the death of , the victim.......
It is probably correct to say that Westminster would have instructed its troops on the ground in Ireland that any military action they took would not be ' authorised' : under the terms of the 'Truce' , Irish Republicans , too , were ordered by their own leadership not to take any offensive military action against the Brits but were instructed to continue with military drills and to maintain their contact with , and use of, training camps in their area .
As well as obviously 'keeping the machine oiled' , the drilling and training camps kept the British alerted to the fact that political discussion was but one of the options open to the IRA ; thousands of armed IRA Volunteers took part in the drills and attended training camps throughout the 32 Counties of Ireland . Dozens , if not hundreds, of these Irish Republican activists were on the British 'MOST WANTED' list and had been 'living' underground (ie safe-houses, 'on-the-run' etc) up to the introduction of the 'Truce' - they were now openly walking around ...
...British troops and their colleagues in the Black and Tans , and the Auxiliaries and the RUC were 'chomping at the bit' to get at them , but were ('Officially') restrained from doing so by the terms of the 'Truce' ... but - 'no claim , no blame.....'
(MORE LATER). (...after the holidays!)
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 .......
".......we had marched 20 of the 30 miles ; we rested at Ullanes and were fed and , the following afternoon , were marching towards Macroom ......."
" We descended through Carraigaphooca , crossed the main Macroom-Killarney Road and , passing by the old castle, we crossed to the southern bank of the Sullane by the stepping stones . Upwards and to the south-east we crossed the third road to Macroom and passed through Dromonig and Brohaun to reach the southern road from Kilnamartyra to Macroom .
Moving paralel to this road , we reached the hill of Sleibhin on the twilight . Coming out on the road , we marched downhill on its grass margins until we reached the castle boundary wall . Climbing over the wall we dropped noiselessly into the castle grounds . Our scouts now got busy - like shadows they came and went ; we were led expertly forward , each IRA Section to its own position until the whole Column had noved within striking distance of both the castle door and gate .
A tedious and trying operation it was in itself for , apart from the terrace , the ground sloped upwards in front of the castle . Except for a few distant trees it was entirely devoid of shelter . Without doubt , all available cover around the terrace would , in the event of attack , be scourged with rifle-fire . The burning of a loyalist's house was to be the start of the first phase of the operation ; his house was overdue for burning , in any case , not because he was a loyalist but because he was an active agent who nightly entertained the Auxiliaries in the house .
The house would be plainly visible from the castle , and at no great distance from it . It was hoped that a strong party from the castle would rush to the scene to try to save the building ......."
(MORE LATER). (...after the holidays!)
' 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.
9 of 12.
A memorandum for the U S President , drafted by Colonel Oliver North and read by Admiral Poindexter to President Reagan , who initialled it , said - " Prime Minister Peres of Israel secretly dispatched his special adviser on terrorism with instructions to propose a plan by which Israel , with limited assistance from the U S , can create conditions to help bring about a more moderate Government in Iran . As described by the Prime Minister's Emissary , the only requirements the Israelis have is an assurance that they will be allowed to purchase U S replenishments for the stocks that they sell to Iran .
The Israelis are also sensitive to a strong American desire to free our Beirut hostages and have insisted that the Iranians demonstrate both influence and good intent by an early release of the five Americans . "
The first U S arms shipment followed in February (1986) but no hostages were released . It was flown to Israel from the U S by 'Southern Air Transport' which also supplied the Contras . Another American crew flew the weapons to Iran on an unmarked Israeli Air Force plane . Adnan Khasshoggi , a Saudi Arabian businessman and arms dealer , financed the deal , raising some of the money from Canadians .......
(MORE LATER). (...after the holidays!)
(Slan go foill anois - we should be back 'on air' on Saturday , 24th July - depending , dontcha know , on the cash flow...)
.......the 'Truce' between the Brits and the IRA came into effect on July 11th , 1921 ; but British soldiers and Officers in Ireland wanted revenge on Irish Republicans for past deeds , but their political leaders in Westminster told them any such action could jeopardise the peace talks - unless of course , such revenge attacks were carried-out in a manner by which it would not be clear who inflicted the injuries on , or caused the death of , the victim.......
It is probably correct to say that Westminster would have instructed its troops on the ground in Ireland that any military action they took would not be ' authorised' : under the terms of the 'Truce' , Irish Republicans , too , were ordered by their own leadership not to take any offensive military action against the Brits but were instructed to continue with military drills and to maintain their contact with , and use of, training camps in their area .
As well as obviously 'keeping the machine oiled' , the drilling and training camps kept the British alerted to the fact that political discussion was but one of the options open to the IRA ; thousands of armed IRA Volunteers took part in the drills and attended training camps throughout the 32 Counties of Ireland . Dozens , if not hundreds, of these Irish Republican activists were on the British 'MOST WANTED' list and had been 'living' underground (ie safe-houses, 'on-the-run' etc) up to the introduction of the 'Truce' - they were now openly walking around ...
...British troops and their colleagues in the Black and Tans , and the Auxiliaries and the RUC were 'chomping at the bit' to get at them , but were ('Officially') restrained from doing so by the terms of the 'Truce' ... but - 'no claim , no blame.....'
(MORE LATER). (...after the holidays!)
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 .......
".......we had marched 20 of the 30 miles ; we rested at Ullanes and were fed and , the following afternoon , were marching towards Macroom ......."
" We descended through Carraigaphooca , crossed the main Macroom-Killarney Road and , passing by the old castle, we crossed to the southern bank of the Sullane by the stepping stones . Upwards and to the south-east we crossed the third road to Macroom and passed through Dromonig and Brohaun to reach the southern road from Kilnamartyra to Macroom .
Moving paralel to this road , we reached the hill of Sleibhin on the twilight . Coming out on the road , we marched downhill on its grass margins until we reached the castle boundary wall . Climbing over the wall we dropped noiselessly into the castle grounds . Our scouts now got busy - like shadows they came and went ; we were led expertly forward , each IRA Section to its own position until the whole Column had noved within striking distance of both the castle door and gate .
A tedious and trying operation it was in itself for , apart from the terrace , the ground sloped upwards in front of the castle . Except for a few distant trees it was entirely devoid of shelter . Without doubt , all available cover around the terrace would , in the event of attack , be scourged with rifle-fire . The burning of a loyalist's house was to be the start of the first phase of the operation ; his house was overdue for burning , in any case , not because he was a loyalist but because he was an active agent who nightly entertained the Auxiliaries in the house .
The house would be plainly visible from the castle , and at no great distance from it . It was hoped that a strong party from the castle would rush to the scene to try to save the building ......."
(MORE LATER). (...after the holidays!)
' 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.
9 of 12.
A memorandum for the U S President , drafted by Colonel Oliver North and read by Admiral Poindexter to President Reagan , who initialled it , said - " Prime Minister Peres of Israel secretly dispatched his special adviser on terrorism with instructions to propose a plan by which Israel , with limited assistance from the U S , can create conditions to help bring about a more moderate Government in Iran . As described by the Prime Minister's Emissary , the only requirements the Israelis have is an assurance that they will be allowed to purchase U S replenishments for the stocks that they sell to Iran .
The Israelis are also sensitive to a strong American desire to free our Beirut hostages and have insisted that the Iranians demonstrate both influence and good intent by an early release of the five Americans . "
The first U S arms shipment followed in February (1986) but no hostages were released . It was flown to Israel from the U S by 'Southern Air Transport' which also supplied the Contras . Another American crew flew the weapons to Iran on an unmarked Israeli Air Force plane . Adnan Khasshoggi , a Saudi Arabian businessman and arms dealer , financed the deal , raising some of the money from Canadians .......
(MORE LATER). (...after the holidays!)
(Slan go foill anois - we should be back 'on air' on Saturday , 24th July - depending , dontcha know , on the cash flow...)
Thursday, July 15, 2004
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 .......).
.......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 .......).
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
....... Ireland 1921 - the Custom House was destroyed , the Dublin Brigade IRA was temporarly put out of action , 'hand-to-hand' fighting in parts of the country between the Brits and the Irish Rebels , "extensive" arms finds by the British .......
.....and , in May and June 1921 , there was over two-thousand engagements between the IRA and the Brits in each month ! In May 1921 , elections were held under the British 'Government of Ireland Act' , and Sinn Fein/Republican candidates who won seats refused to attend the 'Home Rule' Parliament in Dublin .
Also that same month (May 1921) British General Macready wrote a memorandum to the British Cabinet (dated May 24th 1921) in which he stated that a full military victory against the guerrilla forces of the IRA was almost an impossibility ; he suggested the introduction of total martial law , the suppression of all newspapers , the licensing of all public traffic on the roads , identity cards and the suppression of any Irish Republican Parliament !
Macready's political masters in Westminster felt that such measures were too extreme ; in reality , there was one over-riding reason why such an order would not be issued to General Macready .......
(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 .......
".......fifty of us , all armed , were marching thirty miles to carry-out an operation in Macroom . We were crossing an old bog , when it started to crack and splinter - I warned the lads near me as the bank of the bog threatened to give way ......."
" Then I saw something glitter in one of the cracks , on the 'sound' side of it . I dropped on my knees to examine the object ; it appeared to be made of bronze and a circular segment of it showed through the face of the bank . It was undoubtedly an ancient article and from the portion which showed I concluded that the entire object was a large bowl or cauldron . The topmost edge was but a few inches below ground level , and two of the lads who had remained behind with me grasped the thing and tried to tear it out of the ground .
We failed , and we shouted after the Column to wait for us ; the group halted , and our Brigadier , looking back at us , shouted - "What are ye doing there , Mick ?" "We are trying to dig out a piece of bronz here , Sean . It looks very ancient . I think it is a big bowl or a cauldron ." "An ancient cauldron , ?" he shouted derisively , " some old poteenmakers' pot , most likely !" So saying , he turned about and walked on . Snatching a bayonet , I drove it several times through the mould to get some idea of the dimensions of the vessel . Then we hastened after the Column .
Very soon we were dropping , almost vertically , on to the little railway station at Morley's Bridge . Crossing the railway tracks , the road to Kenmare , and a bridge , we turned left on the road to Ballyvourney . Soon we were marching on a road that led for miles uphill through a bare and rocky glen , and the wildly cascading Roughty River which kept on rushing down to meet us ......."
(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.
7 of 12.
In November , the CIA shipped arms at the direction of Colonel Oliver North , who was also the U S Administration's Liaison Officer with the Contras , whose cause he supported fervently . There are also reports that Colonel North shipped arms to the Contras via Portugal with the help of the CIA , although the U S Congress specifically prohibited such aid .
Oliver North was also linked with the 'private' supply network organised by General Secord for the Contras ; Portugal says it did not authorise such flights . Robert McFarlane was beginning to have doubts about the 'Iran initiative' in November 1985 and , early in December that year , he recommended that the operation be closed down . He then resigned as the U S President's National Security Adviser and , on December 8th , met Mr. Kimche and Mr. Ghorbanifar in London to tell them of the decision.......
(MORE LATER).
....... Ireland 1921 - the Custom House was destroyed , the Dublin Brigade IRA was temporarly put out of action , 'hand-to-hand' fighting in parts of the country between the Brits and the Irish Rebels , "extensive" arms finds by the British .......
.....and , in May and June 1921 , there was over two-thousand engagements between the IRA and the Brits in each month ! In May 1921 , elections were held under the British 'Government of Ireland Act' , and Sinn Fein/Republican candidates who won seats refused to attend the 'Home Rule' Parliament in Dublin .
Also that same month (May 1921) British General Macready wrote a memorandum to the British Cabinet (dated May 24th 1921) in which he stated that a full military victory against the guerrilla forces of the IRA was almost an impossibility ; he suggested the introduction of total martial law , the suppression of all newspapers , the licensing of all public traffic on the roads , identity cards and the suppression of any Irish Republican Parliament !
Macready's political masters in Westminster felt that such measures were too extreme ; in reality , there was one over-riding reason why such an order would not be issued to General Macready .......
(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 .......
".......fifty of us , all armed , were marching thirty miles to carry-out an operation in Macroom . We were crossing an old bog , when it started to crack and splinter - I warned the lads near me as the bank of the bog threatened to give way ......."
" Then I saw something glitter in one of the cracks , on the 'sound' side of it . I dropped on my knees to examine the object ; it appeared to be made of bronze and a circular segment of it showed through the face of the bank . It was undoubtedly an ancient article and from the portion which showed I concluded that the entire object was a large bowl or cauldron . The topmost edge was but a few inches below ground level , and two of the lads who had remained behind with me grasped the thing and tried to tear it out of the ground .
We failed , and we shouted after the Column to wait for us ; the group halted , and our Brigadier , looking back at us , shouted - "What are ye doing there , Mick ?" "We are trying to dig out a piece of bronz here , Sean . It looks very ancient . I think it is a big bowl or a cauldron ." "An ancient cauldron , ?" he shouted derisively , " some old poteenmakers' pot , most likely !" So saying , he turned about and walked on . Snatching a bayonet , I drove it several times through the mould to get some idea of the dimensions of the vessel . Then we hastened after the Column .
Very soon we were dropping , almost vertically , on to the little railway station at Morley's Bridge . Crossing the railway tracks , the road to Kenmare , and a bridge , we turned left on the road to Ballyvourney . Soon we were marching on a road that led for miles uphill through a bare and rocky glen , and the wildly cascading Roughty River which kept on rushing down to meet us ......."
(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.
7 of 12.
In November , the CIA shipped arms at the direction of Colonel Oliver North , who was also the U S Administration's Liaison Officer with the Contras , whose cause he supported fervently . There are also reports that Colonel North shipped arms to the Contras via Portugal with the help of the CIA , although the U S Congress specifically prohibited such aid .
Oliver North was also linked with the 'private' supply network organised by General Secord for the Contras ; Portugal says it did not authorise such flights . Robert McFarlane was beginning to have doubts about the 'Iran initiative' in November 1985 and , early in December that year , he recommended that the operation be closed down . He then resigned as the U S President's National Security Adviser and , on December 8th , met Mr. Kimche and Mr. Ghorbanifar in London to tell them of the decision.......
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......it was in that same year (1921) that the IRA decided to burn down the centre of British Administration in Ireland ; the Custom House in Dublin . About 120 armed IRA Volunteers were involved in the operation , in May 1921 .......
...the IRA men were scattering the contents of filing-cabinets and other paper work etc onto the floor and pouring petrol on it and the furniture . As the flames caught hold , the alarm had already been sounded in near-by Dublin Castle - "Armed men at the Custom House !" A force of British troops and Auxiliaries hurriedly left Dublin Castle and joined their colleagues , who were coming under fire , around the Custom House .
The gun-fight claimed the lives of two IRA men and forced the surrender of the Dublin Brigade IRA (approximately 120 Volunteers), as they were surrounded and out-numbered by enemy forces .
Also , in 1921 - the Catholic Hierarchy were in full vocal flight in condemning Irish Republicans , a full-scale battle was fought (in March 1921) between Tom Barry's 3rd West Cork Brigade Flying Column and the 17th Brigade of the British Army (an encounter which was described by British General Macready as - "the nearest approach to actual warfare , as contested with ambushes , that has yet occurred .")
In April 1921 , the Brits reported 'finding' "extensive amounts of arms" belonging to the IRA . Indeed , in two months alone during the year 1921 , there was over two-thousand engagements between the two sides in each month .......
(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 .......
".......we were in Kerry waiting to help the local IRA Volunteers on an operation against the Brits ; an old Kerry man was telling us to carry-on with the fight , to drive the foe from the land , when we were interrupted by the arrival of a messenger ......."
" The IRA Officers with us spoke together for a few minutes , then our Column Leader told us our destination - Macroom , thirty miles to the east by our nearest route . We said good-bye to the good people of Mangerton and immediately we were marching ; keeping to the mountain , we made a bee-line for Morley's Bridge , ten miles to the east . We enjoyed those ten miles over that high and rough ground , for the day was fine and the views of mountain , sea , lake and stream excellent !
As we neared Morley's Bridge we had to cross a bog on a plateau hundreds of feet over the valley we were aiming for - it must have been fairly easy of access from some direction , for some of the bog had been cut away for fuel . The Column marched two deep at a smart rate and kept step with precision . Our Brigadier was with us and set the pace in front ; I was at the extreme end with the Lewis-Gun section , as we marched along the edge of the bank where the turf had been cut to a straight vertical face . The regular beat of the feet falling together and , of course, the combined weight of nearly fifty men caused the bog to shake .
Presently , I noticed a crack run along the ground inside the men in front of us ; it widened as more men stepped on it . I warned the lads near me as the bank threatened to break away ......."
(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.
6 of 12.
Another Israeli , David Kimche , former head of the Foreign Office and once a high official of Mossad , the intelligene service , met Robert McFarlane in July or August 1985 ; he recommended sending arms to Iran to boost "the moderates" and to release the hostages . There was special emphasis on William Buckley , Beirut CIA . The Iranians were interested in TOW anti-tank missiles . McFarlane said he told President Reagan , who was in hospital recovering from surgery for cancer , and received authorisation for Israel to ship arms .
This is disputed by the White House Chief of Staff , Mr. Donald Regan , and President Reagan does not recall giving prior authorisation for the shipment .
The Israelis shipped the arms and the Reverend Benjamin Weir , a Presbyterian minister , was released .......
(MORE LATER).
.......it was in that same year (1921) that the IRA decided to burn down the centre of British Administration in Ireland ; the Custom House in Dublin . About 120 armed IRA Volunteers were involved in the operation , in May 1921 .......
...the IRA men were scattering the contents of filing-cabinets and other paper work etc onto the floor and pouring petrol on it and the furniture . As the flames caught hold , the alarm had already been sounded in near-by Dublin Castle - "Armed men at the Custom House !" A force of British troops and Auxiliaries hurriedly left Dublin Castle and joined their colleagues , who were coming under fire , around the Custom House .
The gun-fight claimed the lives of two IRA men and forced the surrender of the Dublin Brigade IRA (approximately 120 Volunteers), as they were surrounded and out-numbered by enemy forces .
Also , in 1921 - the Catholic Hierarchy were in full vocal flight in condemning Irish Republicans , a full-scale battle was fought (in March 1921) between Tom Barry's 3rd West Cork Brigade Flying Column and the 17th Brigade of the British Army (an encounter which was described by British General Macready as - "the nearest approach to actual warfare , as contested with ambushes , that has yet occurred .")
In April 1921 , the Brits reported 'finding' "extensive amounts of arms" belonging to the IRA . Indeed , in two months alone during the year 1921 , there was over two-thousand engagements between the two sides in each month .......
(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 .......
".......we were in Kerry waiting to help the local IRA Volunteers on an operation against the Brits ; an old Kerry man was telling us to carry-on with the fight , to drive the foe from the land , when we were interrupted by the arrival of a messenger ......."
" The IRA Officers with us spoke together for a few minutes , then our Column Leader told us our destination - Macroom , thirty miles to the east by our nearest route . We said good-bye to the good people of Mangerton and immediately we were marching ; keeping to the mountain , we made a bee-line for Morley's Bridge , ten miles to the east . We enjoyed those ten miles over that high and rough ground , for the day was fine and the views of mountain , sea , lake and stream excellent !
As we neared Morley's Bridge we had to cross a bog on a plateau hundreds of feet over the valley we were aiming for - it must have been fairly easy of access from some direction , for some of the bog had been cut away for fuel . The Column marched two deep at a smart rate and kept step with precision . Our Brigadier was with us and set the pace in front ; I was at the extreme end with the Lewis-Gun section , as we marched along the edge of the bank where the turf had been cut to a straight vertical face . The regular beat of the feet falling together and , of course, the combined weight of nearly fifty men caused the bog to shake .
Presently , I noticed a crack run along the ground inside the men in front of us ; it widened as more men stepped on it . I warned the lads near me as the bank threatened to break away ......."
(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.
6 of 12.
Another Israeli , David Kimche , former head of the Foreign Office and once a high official of Mossad , the intelligene service , met Robert McFarlane in July or August 1985 ; he recommended sending arms to Iran to boost "the moderates" and to release the hostages . There was special emphasis on William Buckley , Beirut CIA . The Iranians were interested in TOW anti-tank missiles . McFarlane said he told President Reagan , who was in hospital recovering from surgery for cancer , and received authorisation for Israel to ship arms .
This is disputed by the White House Chief of Staff , Mr. Donald Regan , and President Reagan does not recall giving prior authorisation for the shipment .
The Israelis shipped the arms and the Reverend Benjamin Weir , a Presbyterian minister , was released .......
(MORE LATER).
Monday, July 12, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
.......the Brits encouraged people to believe that the 1921 'Truce' was 'the beginning of the end' of 'the Irish Question' but , in that same year , 128 deaths were recorded in Belfast alone , and British troops in that part of Ireland were being strengthened .......
.....a 'tangent' here , concerning a major incident which took place in May 1921 , weeks before the 'Truce' came into operation ; in late May that year , the IRA decided to burn-down the centre of British Administration in Ireland - the Custom House in Dublin . The Dublin Brigade of the IRA (consisting of approximately 120 Volunteers) moved in on the building during working hours . Positions were taken-up around the Custom House by armed IRA Volunteers , while other (armed) members entered the building , carrying cans of petrol .
The civil servants working in the offices were told to get out , which all did , except for one woman who , having being told to leave immediately (incidentally , she was given that instruction by one of the IRA men who had been active on 'Bloody Sunday' , as the Brits called it , when Michael Collins hit out at British Intelligence operatives) replied - "You can't do that ..."
The IRA man showed the woman his revolver and the can of petrol he was carrying , and she is alleged to have said - " Can I get my hat and coat ?" to which he replied "Lady , you'll be lucky if you get your life ." She left the building immediately .......
(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 IRA Column consisted of fifty rifle men , with about twenty other IRA Volunteers 'on call' from Macroom ; we had no field pieces , having to make do with small arms and two Lewis-Guns....... "
" In one engagement which lasted for four hours , a section of the Column combined with the Macroom men to a total of only thirty , had put about forty out of ninty British Auxiliaries 'hors de combat' ; the intervention of overwhelming forces of the British regular Army saved the Auxies - we lost no man . Ever present in our minds was the thought that one day we would return to the Auxies the compliment of their often inopportune visits . In other words , we were anxious to give them the pleasure of playing the game of war with us on their own grounds .
Suggestions were invited from Officer and Private alike and all were examined ; the Macroom men were asked to investigate a legend we had heard about - an underground passage between the cellars of the Castle and the river bank . Such a gift was not for us , however , but we would be always welcome at the front door ! Eventually it was the front door that was decided upon , if we could get that far ...
During the second week of May 1921 , the Column left Ballyvourney to assist at the attack on a British Barracks in Kilgarvan , County Kerry ; we arrived in Kilgarvan in the afternoon to find that the Barracks had been evacuated only a few hours earlier . The Kerrymen invited us to stay in the neighbourhood for a few days as there was a prospect of meeting with a strong convoy of British military lorries - we agreed , and stayed at a small village or group of farmhouses on the southern slope of Mangerton Mountain . On Friday morning we had breakfast with these decent people , then we sat with them on the low walls outside their white-washed houses while the sun shone brightly .
We talked of many things , but one old man always brought the conversation back to earth , to the land : he would like to go with us to the good land , and fight for it too . The good land that had been taken from us - the land that would grow the big , strong men . That , the old man said , was the way to undo the conquest of Ireland , to put the people back again on the good land . Time has proved him right , but the wrong has not yet been made right . We were discussing this matter when a local IRA Volunteer arrived with a message ......."
(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.
5 of 12.
Another man who vouched for Manucher Ghorbanifar , the Iranian arms dealer , was Michael A. Ledeen , a 'Consultant' to General Alexander Haig when he was U S Secretary of State , and later attached to the National Security Council . Mr. Ledeen is a frequent visitor to Israel - in the spring of 1985 he met Mr. Peres . When George Shultz heard about it , he warned Robert McFarlane that Israel had its own interests in Iran and they were not necessarily the same as those of the United States.
Robert McFarlane replied that Mr. Ledeen was acting for himself - Ledeen went back to Israel in July 1985 and there met Mr. Ghorbanifar ; they talked about arms and hostages with the Israelis .
Also interested in arranging an arms deal was Adnan Khasshoggi , a Saudi Arabian businessman and international arms dealer .......
(MORE LATER).
.......the Brits encouraged people to believe that the 1921 'Truce' was 'the beginning of the end' of 'the Irish Question' but , in that same year , 128 deaths were recorded in Belfast alone , and British troops in that part of Ireland were being strengthened .......
.....a 'tangent' here , concerning a major incident which took place in May 1921 , weeks before the 'Truce' came into operation ; in late May that year , the IRA decided to burn-down the centre of British Administration in Ireland - the Custom House in Dublin . The Dublin Brigade of the IRA (consisting of approximately 120 Volunteers) moved in on the building during working hours . Positions were taken-up around the Custom House by armed IRA Volunteers , while other (armed) members entered the building , carrying cans of petrol .
The civil servants working in the offices were told to get out , which all did , except for one woman who , having being told to leave immediately (incidentally , she was given that instruction by one of the IRA men who had been active on 'Bloody Sunday' , as the Brits called it , when Michael Collins hit out at British Intelligence operatives) replied - "You can't do that ..."
The IRA man showed the woman his revolver and the can of petrol he was carrying , and she is alleged to have said - " Can I get my hat and coat ?" to which he replied "Lady , you'll be lucky if you get your life ." She left the building immediately .......
(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 IRA Column consisted of fifty rifle men , with about twenty other IRA Volunteers 'on call' from Macroom ; we had no field pieces , having to make do with small arms and two Lewis-Guns....... "
" In one engagement which lasted for four hours , a section of the Column combined with the Macroom men to a total of only thirty , had put about forty out of ninty British Auxiliaries 'hors de combat' ; the intervention of overwhelming forces of the British regular Army saved the Auxies - we lost no man . Ever present in our minds was the thought that one day we would return to the Auxies the compliment of their often inopportune visits . In other words , we were anxious to give them the pleasure of playing the game of war with us on their own grounds .
Suggestions were invited from Officer and Private alike and all were examined ; the Macroom men were asked to investigate a legend we had heard about - an underground passage between the cellars of the Castle and the river bank . Such a gift was not for us , however , but we would be always welcome at the front door ! Eventually it was the front door that was decided upon , if we could get that far ...
During the second week of May 1921 , the Column left Ballyvourney to assist at the attack on a British Barracks in Kilgarvan , County Kerry ; we arrived in Kilgarvan in the afternoon to find that the Barracks had been evacuated only a few hours earlier . The Kerrymen invited us to stay in the neighbourhood for a few days as there was a prospect of meeting with a strong convoy of British military lorries - we agreed , and stayed at a small village or group of farmhouses on the southern slope of Mangerton Mountain . On Friday morning we had breakfast with these decent people , then we sat with them on the low walls outside their white-washed houses while the sun shone brightly .
We talked of many things , but one old man always brought the conversation back to earth , to the land : he would like to go with us to the good land , and fight for it too . The good land that had been taken from us - the land that would grow the big , strong men . That , the old man said , was the way to undo the conquest of Ireland , to put the people back again on the good land . Time has proved him right , but the wrong has not yet been made right . We were discussing this matter when a local IRA Volunteer arrived with a message ......."
(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.
5 of 12.
Another man who vouched for Manucher Ghorbanifar , the Iranian arms dealer , was Michael A. Ledeen , a 'Consultant' to General Alexander Haig when he was U S Secretary of State , and later attached to the National Security Council . Mr. Ledeen is a frequent visitor to Israel - in the spring of 1985 he met Mr. Peres . When George Shultz heard about it , he warned Robert McFarlane that Israel had its own interests in Iran and they were not necessarily the same as those of the United States.
Robert McFarlane replied that Mr. Ledeen was acting for himself - Ledeen went back to Israel in July 1985 and there met Mr. Ghorbanifar ; they talked about arms and hostages with the Israelis .
Also interested in arranging an arms deal was Adnan Khasshoggi , a Saudi Arabian businessman and international arms dealer .......
(MORE LATER).
Sunday, July 11, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
....... "Sure what more do the Irish want ...?" ; thus the Brits whispered to anyone that would listen to them , as they spread 'the big lie' that the 'Truce' was the end of the 'Irish Question' . In Ireland , however , events said otherwise .......
In Belfast alone , in 1921 , the death toll was 128 ; 13 members of the 'Crown Forces' and 115 civilians (comprising 72 Catholics and 43 Protestants). Needless to say , the Brits were not publicising this part of the 'Irish Question' ...
Much was made of the fact that the British Government had started (very publicly!) to re-arrange their military forces in South , East and West Ireland - orders were issued that all British Troops , Black and Tans and Auxiliaries were to base themselves in major barracks' only , in preparation for withdrawal .
In the 'shadow' of that "major advance" , however , the Brits were arranging to strengthen 'security' in the six north-eastern Counties of Ireland ; British troops were to remain , the RUC and the 'B-Special Corps' were given 26,000 extra rifles and a consignment of First World War uniforms , dyed black .
But 'the big lie' (ie "...sure what more do the Irish want ..?") had taken root .......
(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 .......
".......it was a gentleman of a British Auxie who questioned my mother as to the whereabouts of "her boys" ; we were only yards away from him , hiding and armed - had he been abusive , we would have shot him dead and suffered the consequences ......."
" We climbed over the garden fence through a narrow gap in the whitethorn hedge , at its junction with the school wall . As we stood on the fence our heads were just almost level with the heads of three Auxies who had climbed by way of a laurel tree in the corner at the other side of the wall . Another half-foot higher and they could have looked down on us , but a branch they were on gave way at that moment .With a crash they fell back in a heap into the school yard ; we slipped off our fence and stole along the wall at right angles to the one they had tried to mount . The language we heard , as they sought to extricate themselves , and the energy expended on it , would, had they thought of it in time , have lifted them to any desired height !
The castle was a veritable fortress as far as our war material was concerned ; given a reasonable time and even a single field piece we could manage it , but we had neither gun nor mortar . Even if we had , we would have had to work quickly , since Ballincollig , with its large forces of mechanised infantry , was only sixteen miles distant . For that matter , every town in the southern counties could send forces against us at short notice .
The IRA Brigade Flying Column was largely drawn from our area and never exceeded a strength of fifty rifle men : with the Macroom area included , our total strength would be about seventy , a small number , but high in quality as fighting men . Our heaviest armament consisted of two Lewis-Guns . Elsewhere I have described some clashes between the Auxiliaries from the castle and our IRA Column ; our men had proved themselves more than the equals of the " war-men of Britain " .......
(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.
4 of 12.
From 1982 , Israel had been arranging private deals involving the sale of U S arms to Iran . Robert McFarlane , the U S President's National Security Adviser in 1985 , did not know about this and the CIA did not tell him . Mr. McFarlane was poorly informed on many matters ; when he asked the CIA about news reports of Israeli arms shipments to Iran he was told the reports were false . Israel's then Prime Minister , Mr. Shimon Peres , reportedly told the U S there was no such trade ...
Mr. McFarlane also thought that Manucher Ghorbanifar , an Iranian arms dealer who , according to some accounts , had links with Israeli intelligence , was an adviser of the Iranian Government . The CIA distrusted Ghorbanifar and he failed a lie-detector test . But Robert McFarlane , the U S President's Security Adviser , was told none of this .......
(MORE LATER).
....... "Sure what more do the Irish want ...?" ; thus the Brits whispered to anyone that would listen to them , as they spread 'the big lie' that the 'Truce' was the end of the 'Irish Question' . In Ireland , however , events said otherwise .......
In Belfast alone , in 1921 , the death toll was 128 ; 13 members of the 'Crown Forces' and 115 civilians (comprising 72 Catholics and 43 Protestants). Needless to say , the Brits were not publicising this part of the 'Irish Question' ...
Much was made of the fact that the British Government had started (very publicly!) to re-arrange their military forces in South , East and West Ireland - orders were issued that all British Troops , Black and Tans and Auxiliaries were to base themselves in major barracks' only , in preparation for withdrawal .
In the 'shadow' of that "major advance" , however , the Brits were arranging to strengthen 'security' in the six north-eastern Counties of Ireland ; British troops were to remain , the RUC and the 'B-Special Corps' were given 26,000 extra rifles and a consignment of First World War uniforms , dyed black .
But 'the big lie' (ie "...sure what more do the Irish want ..?") had taken root .......
(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 .......
".......it was a gentleman of a British Auxie who questioned my mother as to the whereabouts of "her boys" ; we were only yards away from him , hiding and armed - had he been abusive , we would have shot him dead and suffered the consequences ......."
" We climbed over the garden fence through a narrow gap in the whitethorn hedge , at its junction with the school wall . As we stood on the fence our heads were just almost level with the heads of three Auxies who had climbed by way of a laurel tree in the corner at the other side of the wall . Another half-foot higher and they could have looked down on us , but a branch they were on gave way at that moment .With a crash they fell back in a heap into the school yard ; we slipped off our fence and stole along the wall at right angles to the one they had tried to mount . The language we heard , as they sought to extricate themselves , and the energy expended on it , would, had they thought of it in time , have lifted them to any desired height !
The castle was a veritable fortress as far as our war material was concerned ; given a reasonable time and even a single field piece we could manage it , but we had neither gun nor mortar . Even if we had , we would have had to work quickly , since Ballincollig , with its large forces of mechanised infantry , was only sixteen miles distant . For that matter , every town in the southern counties could send forces against us at short notice .
The IRA Brigade Flying Column was largely drawn from our area and never exceeded a strength of fifty rifle men : with the Macroom area included , our total strength would be about seventy , a small number , but high in quality as fighting men . Our heaviest armament consisted of two Lewis-Guns . Elsewhere I have described some clashes between the Auxiliaries from the castle and our IRA Column ; our men had proved themselves more than the equals of the " war-men of Britain " .......
(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.
4 of 12.
From 1982 , Israel had been arranging private deals involving the sale of U S arms to Iran . Robert McFarlane , the U S President's National Security Adviser in 1985 , did not know about this and the CIA did not tell him . Mr. McFarlane was poorly informed on many matters ; when he asked the CIA about news reports of Israeli arms shipments to Iran he was told the reports were false . Israel's then Prime Minister , Mr. Shimon Peres , reportedly told the U S there was no such trade ...
Mr. McFarlane also thought that Manucher Ghorbanifar , an Iranian arms dealer who , according to some accounts , had links with Israeli intelligence , was an adviser of the Iranian Government . The CIA distrusted Ghorbanifar and he failed a lie-detector test . But Robert McFarlane , the U S President's Security Adviser , was told none of this .......
(MORE LATER).
Saturday, July 10, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .......
....... Ireland 1921 - TRUCE ! ...but all was not what it seemed . In America , the 'Truce' was projected as the end of the issue . Irish-American supporters of the struggle were led to believe that the Irish 'Question' had been resolved .......
....and that was a ploy pushed by the Brits in all media outlets which owed them favours . The issues of Home Rule , self-determination , dominion status , partition , devolution etc were brushed aside in favour of the sound-bite , the 'big lie' - 'Victory !' , 'British Withdrawal' ! , 'Irish Independence!' ... Indeed , the 'Establishment' in both England and Ireland made much the same claim in 1973 for the Sunningdale Agreement , again in 1985 for the Hillsborough Treaty and , more recently , in 1998 , for the Stormont Treaty ('GFA') - all were classed as a form of 'stepping-stone' ie "freedom to achieve freedom ," which they were not .
All four Treaties did , however , 'succeed' on one level - that of allowing the (anti-Republican) 'Establishment' to publicly 'wash their hands' of the 'Irish Question' and mutter , albeit , for the most part under their breath - ..."sure what more do the Irish want ?" Meanwhile , the Brits themselves were re-grouping in the background , while spreading 'the big lie' that the 'Irish Question' was ("almost") resolved .
However , for those that bothered to look for themselves , the truth was just under the surface .......
(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 .......
".......the British Auxies were outside - it was a surprise raid . My brother and I , both of us armed , were hiding in the garden . Then we heard a loud whisper ......."
" "Georgie ! Georgie ! Get on with your men . Quick ! " Three tall forms approached us from the gate and stopped at the front door . One stepped forward from the gravelled path and on to a low wide step outside the doorstep proper . He knocked with his left hand on the open door , a gentle knock . Soon we heard the kitchen door opening and a diffused light fell on the three men ; we knew that my mother had brought the table lamp with her to the hall . We heard her voice , speaking as if to friends as yet unknown to her - " Good evening , boys ," she said gently .
" Oh ! good evening , madam ," a cultured voice replied . " Are the boys at home , madam ? " " No , the boys are not at home , " my mother replied . " I am very glad indeed , madam , very glad indeed . I am very sorry for disturbing you . Good evening , madam ! Good evening ! " So saying , this decent man turned away and walked quickly back to the gate , followed by his comrades . A man like him is all too rare in the world , for undoubtedly he must exert a powerful influence for good , even on the worst companions . His gentlemanly behaviour most probably was the means of saving our lives , his own and those of some of his men .
For , armed as we were , it is not likely that we would stand idly by if he were otherwise than the courteous gentleman we had heard addressing my mother . As it was , we managed to get outside their circle without clashing with them ..."
(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.
3 of 12.
The Senate Intelligence Committee decided to withhold its findings because there were too many gaps and no conclusions ; there were so many leaks that the new Senate Intelligence Committee reversed the decision . It called its statement a "preliminary report" and found "no evidence" that Mr. Reagan knew of the Contra connection but no evidence to the contrary either .
It did find that Mr. Reagan's main interest in the arms sales was to win the release of U S hostages in Lebanon . This report is the most authoritative account we have of the affair . After Mr. Reagan's "deep concern" for the hostages - one of whom was William Buckley , CIA Station Chief at Beirut , who was later tortured and killed by the Iranians - the second driving force in the affair was "Israel's strong and continuing interest in furthering contacts with Iran ."
A third factor in the Iran initative was pressure by "international arms dealers and others" , who were used as messengers mainly.......
(MORE LATER).
(Ni bheimid anseo De Sathairn , 17/7/04 : We won't be here on Saturday , 17/7/04 .
HOLIDAYS ! The '1169....' crew are taking a break in the sunny south-east of Ireland (Waterford) for at least one week - and possibly longer , if the few bob holds out !
I've been outvoted on this issue , folks - Sharon and 'Junior' can be very persuasive ; when the pair of them first started on about wanting out of the '1169....' Office I stood my ground -
"Bi go maith anois . Na bi am' chra , stad den amaidi " , says I ("Be good now . Don't be annoying me , stop the nonsense .") But - DAMMIT ! - Sharon's Irish is better than mine , and 'Junior' can work this PC thingy better than either of us . So.....
...holiday's it is ! Beginning on Saturday , July 17th next , so I'm told.......
).
....... Ireland 1921 - TRUCE ! ...but all was not what it seemed . In America , the 'Truce' was projected as the end of the issue . Irish-American supporters of the struggle were led to believe that the Irish 'Question' had been resolved .......
....and that was a ploy pushed by the Brits in all media outlets which owed them favours . The issues of Home Rule , self-determination , dominion status , partition , devolution etc were brushed aside in favour of the sound-bite , the 'big lie' - 'Victory !' , 'British Withdrawal' ! , 'Irish Independence!' ... Indeed , the 'Establishment' in both England and Ireland made much the same claim in 1973 for the Sunningdale Agreement , again in 1985 for the Hillsborough Treaty and , more recently , in 1998 , for the Stormont Treaty ('GFA') - all were classed as a form of 'stepping-stone' ie "freedom to achieve freedom ," which they were not .
All four Treaties did , however , 'succeed' on one level - that of allowing the (anti-Republican) 'Establishment' to publicly 'wash their hands' of the 'Irish Question' and mutter , albeit , for the most part under their breath - ..."sure what more do the Irish want ?" Meanwhile , the Brits themselves were re-grouping in the background , while spreading 'the big lie' that the 'Irish Question' was ("almost") resolved .
However , for those that bothered to look for themselves , the truth was just under the surface .......
(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 .......
".......the British Auxies were outside - it was a surprise raid . My brother and I , both of us armed , were hiding in the garden . Then we heard a loud whisper ......."
" "Georgie ! Georgie ! Get on with your men . Quick ! " Three tall forms approached us from the gate and stopped at the front door . One stepped forward from the gravelled path and on to a low wide step outside the doorstep proper . He knocked with his left hand on the open door , a gentle knock . Soon we heard the kitchen door opening and a diffused light fell on the three men ; we knew that my mother had brought the table lamp with her to the hall . We heard her voice , speaking as if to friends as yet unknown to her - " Good evening , boys ," she said gently .
" Oh ! good evening , madam ," a cultured voice replied . " Are the boys at home , madam ? " " No , the boys are not at home , " my mother replied . " I am very glad indeed , madam , very glad indeed . I am very sorry for disturbing you . Good evening , madam ! Good evening ! " So saying , this decent man turned away and walked quickly back to the gate , followed by his comrades . A man like him is all too rare in the world , for undoubtedly he must exert a powerful influence for good , even on the worst companions . His gentlemanly behaviour most probably was the means of saving our lives , his own and those of some of his men .
For , armed as we were , it is not likely that we would stand idly by if he were otherwise than the courteous gentleman we had heard addressing my mother . As it was , we managed to get outside their circle without clashing with them ..."
(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.
3 of 12.
The Senate Intelligence Committee decided to withhold its findings because there were too many gaps and no conclusions ; there were so many leaks that the new Senate Intelligence Committee reversed the decision . It called its statement a "preliminary report" and found "no evidence" that Mr. Reagan knew of the Contra connection but no evidence to the contrary either .
It did find that Mr. Reagan's main interest in the arms sales was to win the release of U S hostages in Lebanon . This report is the most authoritative account we have of the affair . After Mr. Reagan's "deep concern" for the hostages - one of whom was William Buckley , CIA Station Chief at Beirut , who was later tortured and killed by the Iranians - the second driving force in the affair was "Israel's strong and continuing interest in furthering contacts with Iran ."
A third factor in the Iran initative was pressure by "international arms dealers and others" , who were used as messengers mainly.......
(MORE LATER).
(Ni bheimid anseo De Sathairn , 17/7/04 : We won't be here on Saturday , 17/7/04 .
HOLIDAYS ! The '1169....' crew are taking a break in the sunny south-east of Ireland (Waterford) for at least one week - and possibly longer , if the few bob holds out !
I've been outvoted on this issue , folks - Sharon and 'Junior' can be very persuasive ; when the pair of them first started on about wanting out of the '1169....' Office I stood my ground -
"Bi go maith anois . Na bi am' chra , stad den amaidi " , says I ("Be good now . Don't be annoying me , stop the nonsense .") But - DAMMIT ! - Sharon's Irish is better than mine , and 'Junior' can work this PC thingy better than either of us . So.....
...holiday's it is ! Beginning on Saturday , July 17th next , so I'm told.......
).
Friday, July 09, 2004
JULY-DECEMBER 1921 : Revenge Attacks on Republicans During The 'Truce' .
Ireland 1921 - the 'Irish Bond' drive was into its second year (having started in January 1920) and was doing well ; certificates were sold on a guarantee of exchange for Irish Republican Bonds after the Irish Republic (all 32 Counties) was recognised .
Approximately $5.5 million dollars was in the kitty already from sales in America alone ; unfortunately , also in America , the fact that a Truce between the Brits and Irish Republican forces had come into effect in July that year (1921) sent a wrong signal to Irish Republican supporters ...
... they were led to believe that the 'Irish Question' had been settled .......
(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 .......
"....... the British Auxiliaries were known to be blackguards ; to kill even if for no reason . One evening in 1920 , my brother and I went home - it was dusk , and we considered ourselves safe from a British rading party ; we were wrong ......."
" It was one short screech from brake drums that gave us warning - the Auxies had inaugurated a new technique to take us by surprise . Coming over the hill from the north , they had cut off the engines and slipped downhill noiselessly to our gate ; they had already tried this method , but on the night in question they had improved on it . Stopping the lorries further uphill they had dropped a number of men who , passing through the school grounds , had surrounded the house on the west and north sides .
We were now in a trap since the south side was completely blocked by the high and blind wall of a neighbouring house . The noise of the brake drums had found us in the kitchen talking to our mother ; a bright lamp , just lighted, stood on the table . Very swiftly but silently we passed from the kitchen to the hallway , closing the door behind us to cut off the light . Guns in hand we went through the front door which was open and , turning right , we were soon at the corner of the house and in a small garden . Here we stopped . North of us we could hear men trying to get over the school wall which had a coping of rough and pointed stones .
To the west , and facing us , others were trying to scale an earth fence with a strong whitethorn hedge on top . We listened and narrowly watched the intervening ground where gooseberry bushes and small apple trees grew . Then we heard a loud whisper from the gate ......."
(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.
2 of 12.
President Reagan says he has told the country all he knows of the 'Irangate' affair and is as anxious as everyone else to find out what really happened . But his public statements are contradictory and most people suspect that he is lying . He keeps playing down the scandal and says the country should drop it - or at least put it in the past .
Last month (ie January 1987) the outgoing Senate Intelligence Committee summoned witnesses to private hearings to tell what they knew of the case . Three key figures refused to talk least they incriminate themselves ; they are Vice Admiral John Poindexter , the Presidents National Security Adviser until November 25th 1986 /
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North , a staff officer of the National Security Council staff / and Major General Richard Secord (retired) who organised the Contra-supply airlift which became public last October (1986) when a plane was shot down over Nicaragua , three of the crew were killed , and a fourth , Eugene Hasenfus , was captured , tried and sent home for Christmas by the Sandinistas .......
(MORE LATER).
Ireland 1921 - the 'Irish Bond' drive was into its second year (having started in January 1920) and was doing well ; certificates were sold on a guarantee of exchange for Irish Republican Bonds after the Irish Republic (all 32 Counties) was recognised .
Approximately $5.5 million dollars was in the kitty already from sales in America alone ; unfortunately , also in America , the fact that a Truce between the Brits and Irish Republican forces had come into effect in July that year (1921) sent a wrong signal to Irish Republican supporters ...
... they were led to believe that the 'Irish Question' had been settled .......
(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 .......
"....... the British Auxiliaries were known to be blackguards ; to kill even if for no reason . One evening in 1920 , my brother and I went home - it was dusk , and we considered ourselves safe from a British rading party ; we were wrong ......."
" It was one short screech from brake drums that gave us warning - the Auxies had inaugurated a new technique to take us by surprise . Coming over the hill from the north , they had cut off the engines and slipped downhill noiselessly to our gate ; they had already tried this method , but on the night in question they had improved on it . Stopping the lorries further uphill they had dropped a number of men who , passing through the school grounds , had surrounded the house on the west and north sides .
We were now in a trap since the south side was completely blocked by the high and blind wall of a neighbouring house . The noise of the brake drums had found us in the kitchen talking to our mother ; a bright lamp , just lighted, stood on the table . Very swiftly but silently we passed from the kitchen to the hallway , closing the door behind us to cut off the light . Guns in hand we went through the front door which was open and , turning right , we were soon at the corner of the house and in a small garden . Here we stopped . North of us we could hear men trying to get over the school wall which had a coping of rough and pointed stones .
To the west , and facing us , others were trying to scale an earth fence with a strong whitethorn hedge on top . We listened and narrowly watched the intervening ground where gooseberry bushes and small apple trees grew . Then we heard a loud whisper from the gate ......."
(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.
2 of 12.
President Reagan says he has told the country all he knows of the 'Irangate' affair and is as anxious as everyone else to find out what really happened . But his public statements are contradictory and most people suspect that he is lying . He keeps playing down the scandal and says the country should drop it - or at least put it in the past .
Last month (ie January 1987) the outgoing Senate Intelligence Committee summoned witnesses to private hearings to tell what they knew of the case . Three key figures refused to talk least they incriminate themselves ; they are Vice Admiral John Poindexter , the Presidents National Security Adviser until November 25th 1986 /
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North , a staff officer of the National Security Council staff / and Major General Richard Secord (retired) who organised the Contra-supply airlift which became public last October (1986) when a plane was shot down over Nicaragua , three of the crew were killed , and a fourth , Eugene Hasenfus , was captured , tried and sent home for Christmas by the Sandinistas .......
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, July 08, 2004
JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' .......
....... 1.30pm , Thursday , 15th July 1976 - a loud explosion blew the gates of Green Street Courthouse off their hinges and five Irish Republican prisoners ran through the gap - and into a scene of confusion ; rubble , dust-clouds . people running and screaming . The five men could'nt find the get-away cars and had'nt time to look for them ; they took off on foot .......
.....but the area was quickly filling-up with Gardai and armed Special Branch . Within minutes , three of the men - John Hagan , Jim Monaghan and Joe Reilly - were pulled-in by the Special Branch on Granby Place and re-arrested . Meanwhile , the other escapee , Michael O'Rourke , was by now on O'Connell Street getting into a taxi...
Michael O'Rourke was taken safely out of the State and put-up in a safe-house in America , but was arrested in 1980 ; a four-year legal battle began but , in 1984 , Michael O'Rourke was extradited to Ireland and imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison .
The break-out made international headlines and embarrassed the then Dublin Administration , led by Fine Gael's Liam Cosgrave . It also proved , once again , to the Free Staters , that the spirit of Irish Republicanism cannot be incarcerated .......
[END of 'JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' ...].
(Tomorrow : 'JULY-DECEMBER 1921 - REVENGE ATTACKS ON REPUBLICANS DURING THE TRUCE ').
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 .......
"....... Macroom Castle should at least have been rendered uninhabitable , but was'nt ; in August 1920 , the British Auxiliaries moved in - these were men who had seen service in the 1914-1918 war , now in Ireland for the money and the 'adventure' ......."
" On the evening of 1st November 1920 , the Auxiliaries raided the Village of Ballymakeera , in the parish of Ballyvourney , Cork , in our area ; one of their number entered a house where lived a quiet , inoffensive married man named Jim Lehane . He had just returned home after his day's work as a labourer - he was not an IRA Volunteer and had no martial characteristic or inclination . He was talking to his wife the while he filled his pipe : the Brit Auxie asked him his name , Jim told him , and the Auxie said - "Follow me."
The poor man followed across the road to the village cross and a few yards down the road beyond it ; here the Brit turned and emptied a revolver into him at close range . Unsuspectingly , Jim Lehane had walked to his death . It was just a cruel and callous murder without the slightest justification , near or remote . And it was only one of many .
There is a saying that a blackguard will be found in every crowd - and the converse is also true ; you will find a decent man among a crowd of blackguards . A small incident will illustrate this . One evening in the harvest of 1920 , my brother Pat and I had come home . Dusk had fallen heavily and the critical time for a raid had , we thought , gone by . But we were wrong ..."
(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.
1 of 12.
The Iran arms scandal now shaking the Presidency of Ronald Reagan is made up of plots and sub-plots , puzzles within puzzles , and enough sinister agents and freelance adventurers to fill a dozen thrillers by Graham Greene . Four Governments are involved in one way or another , as well as the Sultan of Brunei , who gave 10 million dollars to Nicaragua's Contras .
A select committee of the US Senate , a select committee of the US House , a special counsel chosen by three judges , and a three-member panel of "wise men" , headed by the former Texas Republican , Senator John Tower , are all trying to discover what happened , and why , and who broke the law and should be tried and possibly go to prison .
The Congressional Committees will hold public hearings as soon as they can get themselves organised , which may be later this month (ie February 1987)...
(MORE LATER).
....... 1.30pm , Thursday , 15th July 1976 - a loud explosion blew the gates of Green Street Courthouse off their hinges and five Irish Republican prisoners ran through the gap - and into a scene of confusion ; rubble , dust-clouds . people running and screaming . The five men could'nt find the get-away cars and had'nt time to look for them ; they took off on foot .......
.....but the area was quickly filling-up with Gardai and armed Special Branch . Within minutes , three of the men - John Hagan , Jim Monaghan and Joe Reilly - were pulled-in by the Special Branch on Granby Place and re-arrested . Meanwhile , the other escapee , Michael O'Rourke , was by now on O'Connell Street getting into a taxi...
Michael O'Rourke was taken safely out of the State and put-up in a safe-house in America , but was arrested in 1980 ; a four-year legal battle began but , in 1984 , Michael O'Rourke was extradited to Ireland and imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison .
The break-out made international headlines and embarrassed the then Dublin Administration , led by Fine Gael's Liam Cosgrave . It also proved , once again , to the Free Staters , that the spirit of Irish Republicanism cannot be incarcerated .......
[END of 'JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' ...].
(Tomorrow : 'JULY-DECEMBER 1921 - REVENGE ATTACKS ON REPUBLICANS DURING THE TRUCE ').
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 .......
"....... Macroom Castle should at least have been rendered uninhabitable , but was'nt ; in August 1920 , the British Auxiliaries moved in - these were men who had seen service in the 1914-1918 war , now in Ireland for the money and the 'adventure' ......."
" On the evening of 1st November 1920 , the Auxiliaries raided the Village of Ballymakeera , in the parish of Ballyvourney , Cork , in our area ; one of their number entered a house where lived a quiet , inoffensive married man named Jim Lehane . He had just returned home after his day's work as a labourer - he was not an IRA Volunteer and had no martial characteristic or inclination . He was talking to his wife the while he filled his pipe : the Brit Auxie asked him his name , Jim told him , and the Auxie said - "Follow me."
The poor man followed across the road to the village cross and a few yards down the road beyond it ; here the Brit turned and emptied a revolver into him at close range . Unsuspectingly , Jim Lehane had walked to his death . It was just a cruel and callous murder without the slightest justification , near or remote . And it was only one of many .
There is a saying that a blackguard will be found in every crowd - and the converse is also true ; you will find a decent man among a crowd of blackguards . A small incident will illustrate this . One evening in the harvest of 1920 , my brother Pat and I had come home . Dusk had fallen heavily and the critical time for a raid had , we thought , gone by . But we were wrong ..."
(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.
1 of 12.
The Iran arms scandal now shaking the Presidency of Ronald Reagan is made up of plots and sub-plots , puzzles within puzzles , and enough sinister agents and freelance adventurers to fill a dozen thrillers by Graham Greene . Four Governments are involved in one way or another , as well as the Sultan of Brunei , who gave 10 million dollars to Nicaragua's Contras .
A select committee of the US Senate , a select committee of the US House , a special counsel chosen by three judges , and a three-member panel of "wise men" , headed by the former Texas Republican , Senator John Tower , are all trying to discover what happened , and why , and who broke the law and should be tried and possibly go to prison .
The Congressional Committees will hold public hearings as soon as they can get themselves organised , which may be later this month (ie February 1987)...
(MORE LATER).
JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' .......
....... 1.30pm , Thursday , 15th July 1976 - a loud explosion blew the gates of Green Street Courthouse off their hinges and five Irish Republican prisoners ran through the gap - and into a scene of confusion ; rubble , dust-clouds . people running and screaming . The five men could'nt find the get-away cars and had'nt time to look for them ; they took off on foot .......
.....but the area was quickly filling-up with Gardai and armed Special Branch . Within minutes , three of the men - John Hagan , Jim Monaghan and Joe Reilly - were pulled-in by the Special Branch on Granby Place and re-arrested . Meanwhile , the other escapee , Michael O'Rourke , was by now on O'Connell Street getting into a taxi...
Michael O'Rourke was taken safely out of the State and put-up in a safe-house in America , but was arrested in 1980 ; a four-year legal battle began but , in 1984 , Michael O'Rourke was extradited to Ireland and imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison .
The break-out made international headlines and embarrassed the then Dublin Administration , led by Fine Gael's Liam Cosgrave . It also proved , once again , to the Free Staters , that the spirit of Irish Republicanism cannot be incarcerated .......
[END of 'JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' ...].
(Tomorrow : 'JULY-DECEMBER 1921 - REVENGE ATTACKS ON REPUBLICANS DURING THE TRUCE ').
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 .......
"....... Macroom Castle should at least have been rendered uninhabitable , but was'nt ; in August 1920 , the British Auxiliaries moved in - these were men who had seen service in the 1914-1918 war , now in Ireland for the money and the 'adventure' ......."
" On the evening of 1st November 1920 , the Auxiliaries raided the Village of Ballymakeera , in the parish of Ballyvourney , Cork , in our area ; one of their number entered a house where lived a quiet , inoffensive married man named Jim Lehane . He had just returned home after his day's work as a labourer - he was not an IRA Volunteer and had no martial characteristic or inclination . He was talking to his wife the while he filled his pipe : the Brit Auxie asked him his name , Jim told him , and the Auxie said - "Follow me."
The poor man followed across the road to the village cross and a few yards down the road beyond it ; here the Brit turned and emptied a revolver into him at close range . Unsuspectingly , Jim Lehane had walked to his death . It was just a cruel and callous murder without the slightest justification , near or remote . And it was only one of many .
There is a saying that a blackguard will be found in every crowd - and the converse is also true ; you will find a decent man among a crowd of blackguards . A small incident will illustrate this . One evening in the harvest of 1920 , my brother Pat and I had come home . Dusk had fallen heavily and the critical time for a raid had , we thought , gone by . But we were wrong ..."
(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.
1 of 12.
The Iran arms scandal now shaking the Presidency of Ronald Reagan is made up of plots and sub-plots , puzzles within puzzles , and enough sinister agents and freelance adventurers to fill a dozen thrillers by Graham Greene . Four Governments are involved in one way or another , as well as the Sultan of Brunei , who gave 10 million dollars to Nicaragua's Contras .
A select committee of the US Senate , a select committee of the US House , a special counsel chosen by three judges , and a three-member panel of "wise men" , headed by the former Texas Republican , Senator John Tower , are all trying to discover what happened , and why , and who broke the law and should be tried and possibly go to prison .
The Congressional Committees will hold public hearings as soon as they can get themselves organised , which may be later this month (ie February 1987)...
(MORE LATER).
....... 1.30pm , Thursday , 15th July 1976 - a loud explosion blew the gates of Green Street Courthouse off their hinges and five Irish Republican prisoners ran through the gap - and into a scene of confusion ; rubble , dust-clouds . people running and screaming . The five men could'nt find the get-away cars and had'nt time to look for them ; they took off on foot .......
.....but the area was quickly filling-up with Gardai and armed Special Branch . Within minutes , three of the men - John Hagan , Jim Monaghan and Joe Reilly - were pulled-in by the Special Branch on Granby Place and re-arrested . Meanwhile , the other escapee , Michael O'Rourke , was by now on O'Connell Street getting into a taxi...
Michael O'Rourke was taken safely out of the State and put-up in a safe-house in America , but was arrested in 1980 ; a four-year legal battle began but , in 1984 , Michael O'Rourke was extradited to Ireland and imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison .
The break-out made international headlines and embarrassed the then Dublin Administration , led by Fine Gael's Liam Cosgrave . It also proved , once again , to the Free Staters , that the spirit of Irish Republicanism cannot be incarcerated .......
[END of 'JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' ...].
(Tomorrow : 'JULY-DECEMBER 1921 - REVENGE ATTACKS ON REPUBLICANS DURING THE TRUCE ').
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 .......
"....... Macroom Castle should at least have been rendered uninhabitable , but was'nt ; in August 1920 , the British Auxiliaries moved in - these were men who had seen service in the 1914-1918 war , now in Ireland for the money and the 'adventure' ......."
" On the evening of 1st November 1920 , the Auxiliaries raided the Village of Ballymakeera , in the parish of Ballyvourney , Cork , in our area ; one of their number entered a house where lived a quiet , inoffensive married man named Jim Lehane . He had just returned home after his day's work as a labourer - he was not an IRA Volunteer and had no martial characteristic or inclination . He was talking to his wife the while he filled his pipe : the Brit Auxie asked him his name , Jim told him , and the Auxie said - "Follow me."
The poor man followed across the road to the village cross and a few yards down the road beyond it ; here the Brit turned and emptied a revolver into him at close range . Unsuspectingly , Jim Lehane had walked to his death . It was just a cruel and callous murder without the slightest justification , near or remote . And it was only one of many .
There is a saying that a blackguard will be found in every crowd - and the converse is also true ; you will find a decent man among a crowd of blackguards . A small incident will illustrate this . One evening in the harvest of 1920 , my brother Pat and I had come home . Dusk had fallen heavily and the critical time for a raid had , we thought , gone by . But we were wrong ..."
(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.
1 of 12.
The Iran arms scandal now shaking the Presidency of Ronald Reagan is made up of plots and sub-plots , puzzles within puzzles , and enough sinister agents and freelance adventurers to fill a dozen thrillers by Graham Greene . Four Governments are involved in one way or another , as well as the Sultan of Brunei , who gave 10 million dollars to Nicaragua's Contras .
A select committee of the US Senate , a select committee of the US House , a special counsel chosen by three judges , and a three-member panel of "wise men" , headed by the former Texas Republican , Senator John Tower , are all trying to discover what happened , and why , and who broke the law and should be tried and possibly go to prison .
The Congressional Committees will hold public hearings as soon as they can get themselves organised , which may be later this month (ie February 1987)...
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' .......
.......a final meeting had been held on Wednesday , July 14th , 1976 , to re-check the rescue operation ; all seemed in order . The next morning , the IRA Unit took up their positions around Green Street Courthouse .......
At 1.30pm , a loud explosion lifted the locked gates off their hinges and crumbled most of the walls either side of where the gates had been - at that time, too , the five Republican prisoners had broke free from their captors and were running towards the remains of the gates - one of the prisoners , Donal Murphy , was dazed by the explosion and lost his bearings ; he ended up in the actual Courtroom , was recognised and jumped on and held by the Gardai .
The other four escapees - Jim Monaghan , Michael O'Rourke , John Hagan and Joe Reilly - ran into a scene of total confusion ; the gates were smoking and still rattling on the ground , bits of concrete and brick were still flying through the air , a dust-cloud made it near impossible to see more than a few yards and people were running in all directions .
The escapees could'nt locate the get-away cars and made off on foot ; but by now the immediate area was filling-up with Gardai and armed Special Branch and , within minutes , things went wrong .......
(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 .......
".......the party of British 'toffs' and armed militia had spent a long , weary and fruitless day searching the brushwood and swampy forest for Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig - they gave up the hunt and retired to Macroom Castle for supper . They were about to eat when a musket ball blew the candle beside the 'Lord' of the Manor to pieces ......."
" A stunned silence followed ; the shot had sounded well forward from the front of the castle , not from near the window ; 'Mine Host' had turned pale , but was the first to recover himself - "That was Sean Rua," he said . His voice loosened other tongues , and there were many admonitions to 'Mi'Lord' to move clear of the window , some suggestions for the immediate evacuation of the dining-room , others for the pursuit of Sean Rua , vivid descriptions of the latter and of the ultimate accommodation which they heartily wished him . But 'Mi'Lord' , with a wave of his hand , silenced them all -
- " The man who shot out that candle could , much more easily , have shot me ," he said . And never again did he chase down Sean Rua ...
Someone had blundered by allowing the castle to stand unoccupied and in good working order while smaller mansions in less strategic positions had been destroyed ; such was the case , however , and, in August 1920 , the building was occupied by the Auxiliaries - they numbered one-hundred and fifty men , all ex-Officers who had served in the 1914-1918 war . They had been attracted to Ireland by the good pay , the prospect of adventure and the assurance of an easy discipline . I cannot say whether the rate of pay and the degree of discipline during their sojourn at Macroom were up to their expectations , but I am certain that they had no cause for complaint in the matter of adventure .
For when the Truce of 11th July 1921 brought hostilities to an end , their casualties had reached half their original number . Unfortunately for themselves , as well as for their victims , they added cold-blooded murders to their ordinary activities ......."
(MORE LATER).
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
12 of 12 .
For the second time within three years , the British Government had negotiated a cease-fire with the Provisional IRA - this time it was with a Labour Government whose Prime Minister , Harold Wilson had hinted throughout his long political career at the need to set the wheels in motion towards ultimate British dis-engagement from Ireland .
That , and the fact that an elaborate monitoring-system had been agreed , meant that this second attempt had a better chance of survival . Negotiations about the more specific issue of British dis-engagement from Ireland continued for almost a year before the entire exercise collapsed . But that is another story which , hopefully , Merlyn Rees will outline in some detail when his book of memoirs is published .......
[END of ' TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS....... '].
(Tomorrow - ' Colonel Oliver North would'nt do anything that Reagan did'nt approve ....' : from 'The Irish Times' newspaper , 1987).
.......a final meeting had been held on Wednesday , July 14th , 1976 , to re-check the rescue operation ; all seemed in order . The next morning , the IRA Unit took up their positions around Green Street Courthouse .......
At 1.30pm , a loud explosion lifted the locked gates off their hinges and crumbled most of the walls either side of where the gates had been - at that time, too , the five Republican prisoners had broke free from their captors and were running towards the remains of the gates - one of the prisoners , Donal Murphy , was dazed by the explosion and lost his bearings ; he ended up in the actual Courtroom , was recognised and jumped on and held by the Gardai .
The other four escapees - Jim Monaghan , Michael O'Rourke , John Hagan and Joe Reilly - ran into a scene of total confusion ; the gates were smoking and still rattling on the ground , bits of concrete and brick were still flying through the air , a dust-cloud made it near impossible to see more than a few yards and people were running in all directions .
The escapees could'nt locate the get-away cars and made off on foot ; but by now the immediate area was filling-up with Gardai and armed Special Branch and , within minutes , things went wrong .......
(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 .......
".......the party of British 'toffs' and armed militia had spent a long , weary and fruitless day searching the brushwood and swampy forest for Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig - they gave up the hunt and retired to Macroom Castle for supper . They were about to eat when a musket ball blew the candle beside the 'Lord' of the Manor to pieces ......."
" A stunned silence followed ; the shot had sounded well forward from the front of the castle , not from near the window ; 'Mine Host' had turned pale , but was the first to recover himself - "That was Sean Rua," he said . His voice loosened other tongues , and there were many admonitions to 'Mi'Lord' to move clear of the window , some suggestions for the immediate evacuation of the dining-room , others for the pursuit of Sean Rua , vivid descriptions of the latter and of the ultimate accommodation which they heartily wished him . But 'Mi'Lord' , with a wave of his hand , silenced them all -
- " The man who shot out that candle could , much more easily , have shot me ," he said . And never again did he chase down Sean Rua ...
Someone had blundered by allowing the castle to stand unoccupied and in good working order while smaller mansions in less strategic positions had been destroyed ; such was the case , however , and, in August 1920 , the building was occupied by the Auxiliaries - they numbered one-hundred and fifty men , all ex-Officers who had served in the 1914-1918 war . They had been attracted to Ireland by the good pay , the prospect of adventure and the assurance of an easy discipline . I cannot say whether the rate of pay and the degree of discipline during their sojourn at Macroom were up to their expectations , but I am certain that they had no cause for complaint in the matter of adventure .
For when the Truce of 11th July 1921 brought hostilities to an end , their casualties had reached half their original number . Unfortunately for themselves , as well as for their victims , they added cold-blooded murders to their ordinary activities ......."
(MORE LATER).
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
12 of 12 .
For the second time within three years , the British Government had negotiated a cease-fire with the Provisional IRA - this time it was with a Labour Government whose Prime Minister , Harold Wilson had hinted throughout his long political career at the need to set the wheels in motion towards ultimate British dis-engagement from Ireland .
That , and the fact that an elaborate monitoring-system had been agreed , meant that this second attempt had a better chance of survival . Negotiations about the more specific issue of British dis-engagement from Ireland continued for almost a year before the entire exercise collapsed . But that is another story which , hopefully , Merlyn Rees will outline in some detail when his book of memoirs is published .......
[END of ' TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS....... '].
(Tomorrow - ' Colonel Oliver North would'nt do anything that Reagan did'nt approve ....' : from 'The Irish Times' newspaper , 1987).
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' .......
.......the escape plan was , on paper at least , well-organised , and it was decided to run with it . At an agreed time , the five Irish Republican prisoners were to force their way into the courtyard of Green Street Courthouse and run towards the gates - where the explosives were .......
Seconds before the men were to have started their run , the gates were to have been blown off their hinges by an explosives charge . The confusion caused by the explosion would , it was expected, allow the five men to make it to the cars which would be waiting for them , and then driven to pre-arranged safe-houses . The explosion at the gates of Green Street Courthouse was to be timed for 1.30 PM , lunch-break , because it was known that security would be slacker than usual .
On Wednesday , July 14th , 1976 , about one dozen IRA men held a last meeting to finalise the next days action ; the Dublin Brigade QM and Engineering Officer , the Brigade Adjutant and the Intelligence Officer were present , and each man re-checked their role in the job . Satisfied that they could do no more , the men went their separate ways .
Early on Thursday morning , July 15th , 1976 , the plan came together ; the IRA Unit met-up , as arranged, and took up their positions . And waited .......
(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 .......
".......one of our old Irish Rebels , Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig , lived for years in a brushwood forest and used guerrilla tactics on the enemy ; he beat a local British Sergeant in a shooting contest , disguised , but let it be known afterwards that it was he that won ......."
" The Sergeant wanted revenge , and a determined effort to eliminate Sean Rua was decided on - starting at the dawn of a mid-summer day all the 'Gentry' and the British militia surrounded the Gaortha and , gradually and thoroughly , they beat the cover as they contracted their circle . Towards evening they had some indications of success when shots were fired , and some parties alleged that they had actually seen Sean Rua and thought that they had wounded him . But when the twilight deepened over that place of gloom , all had to consider the day's work over and retire to terra firma without delay .
The 'Lord' of the Manor had invited a number of the 'gentry' to dine with him that evening . Mounting their horses , they reached the castle after sunset ; the day had been a strenuous one , wading and struggling through water , mud and undergrowth . Riding equipment was discarded , and the company sat down to dine . The night was warm , windows stood open here and there in the dining room , and 'Mine Host' sat opposite one wide-open window , but well back from it in the deep room . A tall candle stood beside him , and other lighted candles stood beside the guests .
A musket ball passing through the open window knocked the 'Lord' of the Manor's candle to bits ......."
(MORE LATER).
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
11 of 12 .
The then British Secretary for 'Northern Ireland' (sic) , Merlyn Rees , stated that they (the Brits) would continue "to explain British Government policy" to Sinn Fein , and "to outline and discuss the arrangements that might be made to ensure that any ceasefire did not break down ." He also outlined details of the 'Incident Centres' which had been set up "to ensure that any ceasefire did not break down ." The Provisional IRA , on Sunday 9th February , 1975 , issued its statement as follows -
- " In the light of discussions which have taken place between representatives of the Republican Movement and British Officials , on effective arrangements to ensure that there is no break-down of a new truce , the Army Council of Oglaigh na hEireann has renewed the order suspending offensive military action . Hostilities against Crown Forces will be suspended from 6.00 pm , February 10th , 1975 ."
For the second time within three years , the British Government had negotiated a cease-fire with the Provisional IRA .......
(MORE LATER).
.......the escape plan was , on paper at least , well-organised , and it was decided to run with it . At an agreed time , the five Irish Republican prisoners were to force their way into the courtyard of Green Street Courthouse and run towards the gates - where the explosives were .......
Seconds before the men were to have started their run , the gates were to have been blown off their hinges by an explosives charge . The confusion caused by the explosion would , it was expected, allow the five men to make it to the cars which would be waiting for them , and then driven to pre-arranged safe-houses . The explosion at the gates of Green Street Courthouse was to be timed for 1.30 PM , lunch-break , because it was known that security would be slacker than usual .
On Wednesday , July 14th , 1976 , about one dozen IRA men held a last meeting to finalise the next days action ; the Dublin Brigade QM and Engineering Officer , the Brigade Adjutant and the Intelligence Officer were present , and each man re-checked their role in the job . Satisfied that they could do no more , the men went their separate ways .
Early on Thursday morning , July 15th , 1976 , the plan came together ; the IRA Unit met-up , as arranged, and took up their positions . And waited .......
(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 .......
".......one of our old Irish Rebels , Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig , lived for years in a brushwood forest and used guerrilla tactics on the enemy ; he beat a local British Sergeant in a shooting contest , disguised , but let it be known afterwards that it was he that won ......."
" The Sergeant wanted revenge , and a determined effort to eliminate Sean Rua was decided on - starting at the dawn of a mid-summer day all the 'Gentry' and the British militia surrounded the Gaortha and , gradually and thoroughly , they beat the cover as they contracted their circle . Towards evening they had some indications of success when shots were fired , and some parties alleged that they had actually seen Sean Rua and thought that they had wounded him . But when the twilight deepened over that place of gloom , all had to consider the day's work over and retire to terra firma without delay .
The 'Lord' of the Manor had invited a number of the 'gentry' to dine with him that evening . Mounting their horses , they reached the castle after sunset ; the day had been a strenuous one , wading and struggling through water , mud and undergrowth . Riding equipment was discarded , and the company sat down to dine . The night was warm , windows stood open here and there in the dining room , and 'Mine Host' sat opposite one wide-open window , but well back from it in the deep room . A tall candle stood beside him , and other lighted candles stood beside the guests .
A musket ball passing through the open window knocked the 'Lord' of the Manor's candle to bits ......."
(MORE LATER).
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
11 of 12 .
The then British Secretary for 'Northern Ireland' (sic) , Merlyn Rees , stated that they (the Brits) would continue "to explain British Government policy" to Sinn Fein , and "to outline and discuss the arrangements that might be made to ensure that any ceasefire did not break down ." He also outlined details of the 'Incident Centres' which had been set up "to ensure that any ceasefire did not break down ." The Provisional IRA , on Sunday 9th February , 1975 , issued its statement as follows -
- " In the light of discussions which have taken place between representatives of the Republican Movement and British Officials , on effective arrangements to ensure that there is no break-down of a new truce , the Army Council of Oglaigh na hEireann has renewed the order suspending offensive military action . Hostilities against Crown Forces will be suspended from 6.00 pm , February 10th , 1975 ."
For the second time within three years , the British Government had negotiated a cease-fire with the Provisional IRA .......
(MORE LATER).
Monday, July 05, 2004
JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' .......
.......time was short to free the five Irish Republicans from Free State custody ; a second meeting to discuss the operation was held on 6th July 1976 , as the IRA GHQ Staff were not satisfied that the job could be done successfully .......
The Intelligence Officer of the Dublin Brigade IRA was at the 6th July meeting , as was the Adjutant of the Dublin Brigade , the Acting-Adjutant General , the IRA Director of Intelligence , the IRA Director of Finance , and a GHQ/Dublin Brigade Officer . Detailed plans of the lay-out of the inside of Green Street Courthouse had been acquired , as had the roster by which the Gardai on duty worked too.
The five prisoners themselves had been contacted re the rescue attempt and were prepared to take part in it , so the 'go-ahead' was given for an agreed date : 12th July 1976 , a Monday , although this was later changed to Thursday , 15th July 1976 , for reasons unknown to this scribbler .
The plan called for simultaneous action by the five prisoners and the IRA Unit - at an agreed time , the five men were to force their way into the courtyard of Green Street Courthouse and run towards the gates , where the explosives were .......
(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 .......
".......beaten down by disease and poverty , some natives tended to 'doff their cap' to the denizens of the Castles , and stare in awe as they passed in their finery ......."
" Not everyone bowed the head ; even in the worst times , when all organised opposition to tyranny had been crushed , an individual arose and struck a blow for the motherland "to show that still she lives ." My father often told me of one of those warriors , a stout fellow known as Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig ; true , he was known as an outlaw or 'rapparree' to 'the powers that were' and to most 'respectable' people , but in Irish history he would be classed with Redmond O'Hanlon and Eamonn an Chnuic . In England he would be with Robin Hood or Locksley - history would be very poor stuff , in any country , without such men !
To the south of Macroom Castle and immediately in front of it Sleibhin Hill rises green and fairly steep - its other side, also green and steep , overlooks the Gaortha , a low-lying area of a few square miles in extent , covered with brushwood , mostly alder, and water-logged by innumerable channels of the River Lee . Here it was that Sean Rua retired from his enemies and for many years baffled all their attempts to dislodge him . He made his own gunpowder for his firearms , and it was said to be practically smokeless . He did not spend all his time hiding and inactive in the Gaortha ; now and again he sallied forth and exacted tribute from some Planter . Often did the 'Gentry' muster against him with all the available local yeomanry and militia , but Sean Rua always managed to elude them in the sheltering tangle of his natural fortress .
Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig was a crack shot - once , in disguise , he competed at a Yeomanry musketry test in Macroom : a local Sergeant , an expert shot , tied with him for the final . The 'unknown Yeoman' , from a distant company , beat the Sergeant and great was the chagrin when , too late , it was discovered that Sean Rua had gone home with the prize . Sean had a high sense of humour and was prepared to run risks to gratify it ; but the Sergeant wanted his revenge .......
(MORE LATER).
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
10 of 12 .
Because the Provisionals did not wish to apply for permits to the RUC it was necessary for the British to give "a personal assurance" from the 'Northern Ireland (sic) Office' that "if all that stands between us and the successful conclusion of our present arrangement is 24 permits , we shall find a way around that difficulty ." ('1169...' Comment - the Provisionals now request permits from the Brits and the Free Staters to carry-out Easter Lily collections , to hold parades and street demonstrations : for shame , applying to those that put brave Irish men and women in their graves for 'permission' to 'remember and honour' those same men and women put there by the same foe . If that is 'success' , we want no part of it ...)
The break-through came on 7th February 1975 , and the next day the formulae of words to be issued by both Mr. Rees and the Republican Movement on the coming into operation of the new Cease-Fire were agreed . In his statement , Mr. Rees recalled a previous statement about the talks , confirming that they had taken place but being very vague about details , either of what had been agreed or what the talks would involve in the future .......
(MORE LATER).
.......time was short to free the five Irish Republicans from Free State custody ; a second meeting to discuss the operation was held on 6th July 1976 , as the IRA GHQ Staff were not satisfied that the job could be done successfully .......
The Intelligence Officer of the Dublin Brigade IRA was at the 6th July meeting , as was the Adjutant of the Dublin Brigade , the Acting-Adjutant General , the IRA Director of Intelligence , the IRA Director of Finance , and a GHQ/Dublin Brigade Officer . Detailed plans of the lay-out of the inside of Green Street Courthouse had been acquired , as had the roster by which the Gardai on duty worked too.
The five prisoners themselves had been contacted re the rescue attempt and were prepared to take part in it , so the 'go-ahead' was given for an agreed date : 12th July 1976 , a Monday , although this was later changed to Thursday , 15th July 1976 , for reasons unknown to this scribbler .
The plan called for simultaneous action by the five prisoners and the IRA Unit - at an agreed time , the five men were to force their way into the courtyard of Green Street Courthouse and run towards the gates , where the explosives were .......
(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 .......
".......beaten down by disease and poverty , some natives tended to 'doff their cap' to the denizens of the Castles , and stare in awe as they passed in their finery ......."
" Not everyone bowed the head ; even in the worst times , when all organised opposition to tyranny had been crushed , an individual arose and struck a blow for the motherland "to show that still she lives ." My father often told me of one of those warriors , a stout fellow known as Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig ; true , he was known as an outlaw or 'rapparree' to 'the powers that were' and to most 'respectable' people , but in Irish history he would be classed with Redmond O'Hanlon and Eamonn an Chnuic . In England he would be with Robin Hood or Locksley - history would be very poor stuff , in any country , without such men !
To the south of Macroom Castle and immediately in front of it Sleibhin Hill rises green and fairly steep - its other side, also green and steep , overlooks the Gaortha , a low-lying area of a few square miles in extent , covered with brushwood , mostly alder, and water-logged by innumerable channels of the River Lee . Here it was that Sean Rua retired from his enemies and for many years baffled all their attempts to dislodge him . He made his own gunpowder for his firearms , and it was said to be practically smokeless . He did not spend all his time hiding and inactive in the Gaortha ; now and again he sallied forth and exacted tribute from some Planter . Often did the 'Gentry' muster against him with all the available local yeomanry and militia , but Sean Rua always managed to elude them in the sheltering tangle of his natural fortress .
Sean Rua an Ghaorthaig was a crack shot - once , in disguise , he competed at a Yeomanry musketry test in Macroom : a local Sergeant , an expert shot , tied with him for the final . The 'unknown Yeoman' , from a distant company , beat the Sergeant and great was the chagrin when , too late , it was discovered that Sean Rua had gone home with the prize . Sean had a high sense of humour and was prepared to run risks to gratify it ; but the Sergeant wanted his revenge .......
(MORE LATER).
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
10 of 12 .
Because the Provisionals did not wish to apply for permits to the RUC it was necessary for the British to give "a personal assurance" from the 'Northern Ireland (sic) Office' that "if all that stands between us and the successful conclusion of our present arrangement is 24 permits , we shall find a way around that difficulty ." ('1169...' Comment - the Provisionals now request permits from the Brits and the Free Staters to carry-out Easter Lily collections , to hold parades and street demonstrations : for shame , applying to those that put brave Irish men and women in their graves for 'permission' to 'remember and honour' those same men and women put there by the same foe . If that is 'success' , we want no part of it ...)
The break-through came on 7th February 1975 , and the next day the formulae of words to be issued by both Mr. Rees and the Republican Movement on the coming into operation of the new Cease-Fire were agreed . In his statement , Mr. Rees recalled a previous statement about the talks , confirming that they had taken place but being very vague about details , either of what had been agreed or what the talks would involve in the future .......
(MORE LATER).
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