Listowel Mutiny
Introduction from Chronology
RIC Divisional Commissioner for Munster 2, Colonel Gerald Smyth, makes a
speech to RIC men in Listowel in which it is alleged that he gave them a carte
blanche for killing anyone acting suspiciously.
More Detail
It is alleged that Smyth said “A policeman is perfectly justified in
shooting any man who he has good reason to believe is carrying arms and who
does not immediately throw up his arms when ordered”. Then it is reported
that he went on to say “You may make mistakes occasionally and innocent persons
may be shot, but this cannot be helped and you are bound to get the right
persons sometimes. The more you shoot,
the better that I will like you, and I assure you that no policeman will get
into any trouble for shooting any man.”
This is denied but some RIC men
resign including Constable Jeremiah Mee who put his pistol on the table and
told Smyth that his speech was an incitement to murder. When ordered to
arrest Mee, the other constables refused - this became known as the 'Listowel Mutiny'. Fourteen RIC men
tendered their resignation.
According to Gallagher, along with Smyth at this meeting, others
attending this meeting were Hugh Tudor, Police Adviser (and de facto head of the RIC); Poer O’Shee, Kerry County
Inspector RIC; Captain Chadwick of the British army; RM Leatham and Assistant
County Inspector Doobbyn. (According to Macardle, O’Shee also took part
in the ‘mutiny’.) Lawlor gives a detailed account of the mutiny.
After a similar speech by Smyth in Killarney a little later, five RIC
men resign. (O’Shea says that this speech was not given in Killarney but in
Milltown on June 20th and only one RIC (Constable Peter O’Toole)
resigned.)