British Cabinet Meeting in the Aftermath of Shooting of Henry Wilson

Aftermath of Shooting of Henry Wilson

Introduction from Chronology

A British cabinet conference of ministers takes place in aftermath of the killing of Wilson.  After the meeting, the British send a letter to Collins saying that Wilson’s assassins had links to the anti-Treaty men occupying the Four Courts and “formally” ask that the occupation be brought to an end.

The British cabinet also decided to attack the Four Courts if the Provisional Government did not do so.  Macready (who opposed this move) is told to return to Dublin and prepare his troops.

More Detail

Macready (still commander of remaining British Forces in Ireland) was in attendance. 

After this conference, a letter is sent to Collins saying that documents found on Wilson assassins connected them with the anti-Treaty IRA and went on to say that the Four Courts occupation and 'the ambiguous position' of the IRA could no longer be tolerated.  “The British Government feels entitled to formally ask you to bring it to an end forthwith.  We are prepared to place at your disposal the necessary pieces of artillery …”.

As Collins was not in Dublin, a reply was sent on behalf of the Provisional Government (on the same day) by Diarmaid O’Hegarty asking for information which the British government said they had connecting the men in the Four Courts with the Wilson assassination to be placed at their disposal.  O’Hegarty also adds that internal dissension would destroy the Four Courts anti-Treatyites.  (He was obviously aware of the break in the Anti-Treaty ranks on June 18th – see Jun-18-22/1.)  

Churchill refused to release the information.  (Curran says that this was because the documents found on Wilson’s assassins did not link them with the men in the Four Courts.  Fanning says that it was an inaccurate special branch report.  Hart says that the Special Branch concluded that the killers acting on their own and, referring to the assassination being ordered by the IRA Executive, says “This theory has rarely resurfaced”. Lionel Curtis tells Llyod George that they had nothing “to connect the murder of Wilson with Liam Mellows”.)

On the evening of June 23rd (Townshend says 24th) the British cabinet decides to attack the Four Courts on either June 25th or 26th even though Macready (who was at the meeting) says he strongly opposed this decision.  Macready is told to return to Dublin and prepare for the attack.  He was told that, if it is finally decided to attack the Four Courts, then he would receive his orders by telephone.

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