June 1923

June-01

After strike-breaking goods convoys, protected by the pro-Treaty army, were attacked in Waterford, the local commander, Paddy Paul, called in re-enforcements. (See 14th May above.)  On this day, 250 troops from the pro-Treaty Special Infantry Corps, under Colonel Patrick Dalton (which had been set up by the pro-Treaty government to, inter alia, break strikes) arrived in Waterford.  More arrived the following week and it soon had over 600 men deployed, mostly in west Waterford. An on-going war of attrition ensued between the strikers and the Special Infantry Corps.  Acts of arson, intimidation and assault were common on both sides.  The Special Infantry Corps imposed curfews and something akin to martial law.  The farmers formed their own vigilante groups which, among other actions, intimidated any of their own members who looked to settle with the strikers.  The WFA would not negotiate with the ITGWU and were intent on smashing the union. See 8th December below.

McCarthy (2015), pgs 123-125

June-06

The cabinet of pro-Treaty Government has special meeting on the northern situation with particular reference to the Boundary Commission.  Kevin O’Shiel puts forward maximalist and minimalist claims which should be put before the Commission. 

 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 288-289

June-06

Old IRA leader, Liam Tobin, sends letter to Cosgrave requesting a meeting with him and Mulcahy.  They say they want to discuss how to keep “to the forefront the ideals and objects for which the late Commander-in-Chief [Collins] gave his life” i.e. acceptance of Treaty as ‘stepping-stone’ to Republic.  They also wanted to discuss grievances as to their treatment in the Free State army.  This letter gives rise to discussions between Cosgrave, Mulcahy and Attorney-General Kennedy as to how to treat this situation.  Valiulis says that Mulcahy was reluctant to meet them but Cosgrave’s main concern was to that Old IRA may put up candidates in the forthcoming elections (August) and split the Cumann na nGaedheal vote.

 

Valiulis (1985), pg 36

June-06

Anti-Treaty man, Captain Joseph Healy from Ballina, Co. Mayo is shot dead by a pro-Treaty patrol when trying to escape from a house in Stone Park, Claremorris.

Price (2012), pg 257

Jun-07

The Cork Examiner reports the accidental death of pro-Treaty Sergeant McCabe when he was shot in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

Doyle (2008), pg 310

June

Pro-Treaty government introduces new Public Order Bill in which powers to intern and seize land and stock are continued for another six months.  It is heavily criticised by Labour. 

 

Macardle (1999), pg 862

Jun-10

A meeting takes place between Cosgrave, O’Higgins, MacNeill, Mulcahy, MacMahon and O’Murthuile about the IRB.  There is conflicting testimony about what transpired at this meeting (and it became controversial after the army mutiny in March 1924).  Mulcahy and O’Murthuile said that the primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposal from Tom Barry to revive the IRB as a way of healing civil war wounds and Mulcahy wanted to revive the IRB so that (a) it would not fall into anti-Treaty hands and (b) be a mechanism for getting anti-Treaty IRA men to destroy their arms.  O’Higgins subsequently said that he vigourously opposed the reorganization of the IRB but Mulcahy claimed that the other three ministers “did see at least some reason for the position and did not forbid it”.

 

Valiulis (1985), pgs 101-105

Jun-10

Dr Francis Ferran, anti-Treaty TD for Sligo-Mayo East (and originally from Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry) dies in custody in the Curragh. 

The same day, Tom Maguire, anti-Treaty leader from Mayo escapes from Custume Barracks, Athlone.

Price (2012), pg 264-265 & 267; Grant (2018), pg 139

Jun-12

Pro-Treaty soldier, Private Henderson, is arrested for a bank robbery on Capel St, Dublin

Dorney (2017), pg 261

Jun-13

Two anti-Treaty prisoners attempt to escape from Kilkenny Jail using a ‘rope’ made out of bedsheets.  However, they are spotted by sentries and shot at.  One of the two prisoners, James Morrissey, is fatally wounded.

Walsh (2018), pg 243

Jun-22

After an incident on the 2nd June, General Paddy O’Daly and two other pro-Treaty officers are accused manhandling two daughters (Flossie and Jessie McCarthy) of local doctor, Dr Randall McCarthy at their home in Inchlough, Kenmare, Co. Kerry.  After an army enquiry, Mulcahy argued that there was not enough evidence to warrant a court martial but he was strongly criticised by O’Higgins and others.  O’Daly and the two other officers are forced to resign.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 264; Dorney (2017), pgs 261-262

Jun-25

Meeting between Cosgrave and Mulcahy and Old IRA representatives (Tobin, Dalton, Thornton and O’Malley).  More Detail

 

Valiulis (1985), pgs 37-39

June

 Anti-Treaty prisoner Daniel Downey from Dundalk dies in the Curragh camp hospital.

Durney (2011), pg 162


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