Letter from Tobin & Dalton to Cosgrave
Introduction from Chronology
Liam Tobin and Charlie Dalton present an ultimatum to the Free
State government demanding that they meet with them to discuss their
interpretation of the Treaty and that the army council be removed and that army
demobilisation be suspended. They say if the government does not meet its
demands they will “take such action that we make clear to the Irish people that
we are not renegades or traitors to the ideals that induced them to accept the
Treaty. Our Organisation fully realises the seriousness of the action we
may be compelled to take”.
About 50 Free State officers abscond with war materials including
Lewis guns, grenades and revolvers.
More Detail
The following is the text of the Tobin/Dalton letter as read into
the record of the Dáil on March 11th:
“To President Liam Cosgrave.
Sir,—
On behalf of the I.R.A. Organisation we have been instructed to
present the following Ultimatum to the Government of Saorstát Eireann.
Briefly, our position is this:—
The I.R.A. only accepted the Treaty as a means of achieving its
objects, namely, to secure and maintain a Republican form of Government in this
country.
After many months of discussion with your Government it is our
considered opinion that your Government has not those objects in view, and that
their policy is not reconcilable with the Irish people's acceptance of the
Treaty.
Furthermore, our interpretation of the Treaty was that expressed
by the late Commander-in-Chief, General Michael Collins, when he stated: “I
have taken an oath of allegiance to the Irish Republic and that oath I will
keep, Treaty or no Treaty.” We claim Michael Collins as our leader, and again
remind you that even after the Treaty was signed, that drastic action was taken
against enemies of the unity and complete independence of our country. Both in
oath and honour bound, it is our duty to continue his policy, and therefore
present this Ultimatum to which we require a reply by 12 noon, 10th March,
1924.
We demand a conference with representatives of your Government to
discuss our interpretation of the Treaty on the following conditions:—
(a) The removal of the Army Council.
(b) The immediate suspension of Army demobilisation and
re-organisation.
In the event of your Government rejecting these proposals we will
take such action that will make clear to the Irish people that we are not
renegades or traitors to the ideals that induced them to accept the Treaty.
Our Organisation fully realises the seriousness of the action that
we may be compelled to take, but we can no longer be party to the treachery
that threatens to destroy the aspirations of the Nation.
LIAM TOBIN, Major-General, President of the Executive Council.
C.F. DALTON, Col., Secretary to Executive Council.”