Letter
from Tobin & Dalton to Cosgrave
The following is the
text of the Tobin/Dalton letter as read into the record of the Dáil on the 11th March.
“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.”