March 1922

Mar-1922/1

Large-scale arrests of anti-Treaty army men in Britain – in all 160 arrested and many deported to Ireland (including Art O’Brien).

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 255

Mar-01-22/1

Naas Barracks handed over to Colonel Commandant Sean Boylan and Brigadier Thomas Lawler. 

Durney (2011), pg 32

Mar-01-22/2

The Fourth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Two – March 1st 1922

A number of mostly procedural issues are dealt with.

 

The proceedings of Day Two of the Fourth Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-03-01/

The third and final day of the Fourth Session of the Second Dáil takes place on March 2nd 1922 – see Mar-02-22/1.

 

 

 

Mar-02-22/1

The Fourth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Three – March 1st 1922

Dáil ratifies agreement reached at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis (see Feb-21-22/1).

Kate O’Callaghan, introduces a bill in the Dáil aimed at giving the vote to all women on the same basis as men, i.e. all women over 21 years of age (and not only those over 30 who meet certain property criteria).  While Griffith believes in full female suffrage, he looked on O’Callaghan’s bill as a ploy to defeat the Treaty.  O’Callaghan’s bill is defeated by 47 votes to 38.  (Women under 30 do not get the vote until April 1923.)

 

The proceedings of Day Three of the Fourth Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-03-02/

The first day of the Fifth Session of the Second Dáil takes place on April 26th 1922 – see Apr-26-22/2.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 668; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 105; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 297; Price (2012), pg 203

Mar-02-22/2

Arms from Bremerhaven, Germany landed from a two-masted steel schooner called the Hannah by anti-Treaty forces at Helvick Head, Co Waterford – they are used to arm anti-Treaty forces in Dublin.  The smuggling had been arranged by Robert Briscoe, John T. Ryan and Charlie McGuinness – all of whom had gone anti-Treaty.

McMahon says that this was a joint pro- and anti-Treaty operation.  He says that the arms (which included Mauser rifles and Parabellum pistols) were taken by the Tipperary No. 1 Brigade and sent to arm IRA brigades in NI.  He also says that the arms were landed at Ballynagaul in Co. Wexford. (Ballynagaul beach in on Helvic Head in Co. Waterford.)  Finally, he says that the Hannah departed Bremen on March 24th. 

See Oct-28-21/1 and Nov-10-21/1.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xix; Hopkinson (1988), pg 574; Macardle (1999), pg 673; McCarthy (2015), pg 100; McMahon (2008), pg 130

Mar-02-22/3

An RIC (or ex-RIC) man, Sgt John Cotter, is shot on St. Peter's Road, Phibsborough, Dublin by three men and dies soon after from his wounds. (Abbott  says March 2nd  but Power says March 13th)

 

Abbott (2000), pgs 278-279; Power (2020), pg 19

Mar-02-22/4

A civilian, Edward Reed, is shot dead by a British soldier outside a pub in Ship St, Dublin

Dorney (2017), pg 45

Mar-02-22/5

The Freeman’s Journal mocks de Valera calling him a “so-called republican of the Royal Irish Republic of Documents 2 and 3”.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 30

Mar-02-22/6

Wilson writes in his diary that Churchill was despondent and, at last, realised “the coming clash in Ireland”.

McMahon (2008), pg 71

Mar-03-22/1

An RIC party leaving Tipperary town in a Crossley and another vehicle are attacked at Michael Street-Bank Place which results in the death of two RIC men (H/Constable Christopher Davis and Constable William Cummings).  It is later reported in the Irish Times that RIC men had been arrested and charged with aiding the IRA in this attack.

Constable Cummings was from Hampshire in England and have eighteen months’ service with the RIC.  H/Constable Davis was from Galway.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 279; Litton (1995), pg 42; Abbott (2019), pgs 356-357

Mar-03-22/2

A lone loyalist gunman approaches a Catholic, Owen Hughes, on a late night tram in Belfast and asks his religion. When Hughes replies Catholic, the gunman shoots him dead.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 247; Parkinson (2020), pg 158

Mar-03-22/3

Max Green, head of the Irish Prisons Board, is shot dead on Molesworth St., Dublin as he tries to prevent an armed robbery.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 46

Mar-03-22/4

A pro-Treaty outpost of about 250 men is set up in Listowel, Co. Kerry under Tom Kennelly – it is well equipped by GHQ. 

See Jun-29-22/6.

 

Doyle (2008), pgs 82-83

Mar-03-22/5

Birkenhead writes a letter, marked secret, to Arthur Balfour in which he assures Balfour that there is no possibility of Northern Ireland losing counties to the Free State when the Boundary Commission is set up.  (Full text of letter is given in Appendix 3 in Matthews (2004), pgs 288-290).

Matthews puts this letter in the context of a group of Die-Hards in the Conservative Party trying to bring down the Liberal-Conservative Coalition government primarily on the Coalition’s handling of Ireland and he was concerned that Balfour would lead the revolt. 

See Mar-07-22/4.

 

Matthews (2004), pgs 75-76

Mar-04-22/1

IRA gunmen enter the house of ex-RIC Sergeant John O’Dowd in Swinford, Co Mayo and try to kill him.  Instead they kill his wife as she tries to defend him.  Ex-Sgt O’Dowd is wounded. 

See Mar-06-22/3.

 

Price (2012), pg 203

Mar-05-22/1

The Limerick Stand-Off. 

As the Commandant of the IRA’s Mid-Limerick Brigade, Liam Forde, had earlier repudiated the authority of GHQ (see Feb-18-22/1), on this date GHQ orders Michael Brennan, Commandant of the 1st Western Division (and pro-Treaty) into Limerick to take over barracks from the evacuating British.  (Limerick was not in Brennan’s Divisional area.)

This led to a standoff, especially when the Divisional Commandant for the 2nd Southern Division, Ernie O'Malley (see Feb-24-22/1), sent troops into Limerick.  Eventually, Liam Lynch (Commandant 1st Southern Division) and Oscar Traynor (Commandant Dublin Brigade) sort out a compromise by March 12th. 

More detail

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 206; Hopkinson (1988), pgs 63-65; Macardle (1999), pgs 674-675; O’Callaghan (2018), pgs 104-105; Corbett (2008), pgs 76-

Mar-05-22/2

Collins said the following (quoted from the Irish Independent of March 6th): “War, though necessary and noble for necessary and noble ends, has terrible effects incidental to it, not only material ruin, but moral effects when prolonged unrighteously, a tendency to lose balance and judgment, to forget and misinterpret the real object of the national struggle, to grow to believe that strife, even fratricidal strife, is noble in itself.  Such things must cease as soon as freedom is secured or the nation will perish”.

Also see quote in Kissane (2005), pg 56 on substance of freedom.

 

Curran J M (1980), pgs 175-176

Mar-05-22/3

A Protestant, James Martin (37), is shot dead in the nationalist Albert St area of Belfast.

Parkinson (2004), pg 248

Mar-06-22/1

IRA man, Andrew Leonard (21), is shot in the neck near Townsend St in Belfast and later dies in hospital. (Parkinson says March 6th but McDermott says March 13th.).  Also, Catherine Lynch (51) is shot dead in her home on the Falls Rd. 

Another two Catholics, Thomas Heathwood and William Warder are shot dead by military patrols in the Wakk St and Hanover St areas respectively. 

The British Army has gun battles with loyalist gunmen.

 

Parkinson (2004), pgs 248-249; McDermott (2001), pgs 182 & 185

Mar-06-22/2

The British Army barracks in Waterford is handed over to the IRA.  A party of 82 men under George Lennon take over the Infantry Barracks and a further 32 men take over the Artillery Barracks.

 

McCarthy (2015), pgs 97-98

Mar-06-22/3

An employee of the Congested Districts Board in Mayo, Patrick Cassidy, is shot by gunmen in Mayo – he is shot four times but survives.  He is moved to Galway Hospital. 

See Mar-15-22/2.

 

Price (2012), pg 203

Mar-06-22/4

In a telegram to Churchill, Collins saying “total death toll [in the North] since eleventh Feb now amounts to 48 and 198 wounded while total casualties since Orange Pogrom beginning July 1920 number 257”.

 

Ferriter (2021), pg 27

Mar-06 to 07-22/1

British cabinet decides to give £850,000 to the NI government to underwrite the cost of the Specials for the next six months.  As this is probably illegal under Britain’s own Government of Ireland Act of 1920 (see Dec-12-21/2), it is decided to disguise this payment in as assistance in “a general grant of money to Ulster for unemployment and other services”. 

However, Collins finds out about it - see Mar-24-22/1.  (See also Tom Jones’s discussion with Llyod George - Mar-17-22/3. See also Mar-18-22/1.) 

This decision of the British cabinet is noted by the NI cabinet on March 13th.  (McMahon says that “Craig and … Lord Londonderry, used their old political alliances and social networks to by-pass the normal Whitehall channels and impress their views directly on sympathetic leaders such as Arthur Balfour and Bonar Law”.) 

For further on the funding of the Specials – see Jul-19-22/2.

Churchill’s Provisional Government of Ireland committee also agrees that the Joint Exchequer Board should reconsider the amount that the NI government’s imperial contribution should be for the next two years. (The Joint Exchequer Board had been set up by the 1920 Government of Ireland Act with British and NI representatives to decide on NI’s financial contribution to the UK Exchequer.)

 

Matthews (2004), pg 72; McMahon (2008), pg 141

Mar-07-22/1

Meeting in Belfast of Sinn Féin special advisory committee (set up at Ard Fheis the previous month).  They re-affirm policy of abstention and non-recognition of the NI parliament and government.  

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 188

Mar-07-22/2

John Roddy, a Protestant, is shot dead delivering papers in the Peters Hill area of Belfast.  Two other Protestants – John Morrison (23) and William Johnston (40) – are fatally wounded in the west of the city. Also, John Mullan, a Catholic teenager, is shot dead in the Upper Library St area by a Specials patrol.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 241 & 249

Mar-07-22/3

An advertisement appears in the Irish Independent announcing the formation of a new police force called ‘An Garda Síochána’ or ‘Civic Guard’.  Soon recruiting advertisements would appear in the provincial press.  First commissioner was to be Michael Staines TD.  See Apr-15-22/1.

 

Durney (2011), pg 45

Mar-07-22/4

Following Birkenhead’s letter (see Mar-03-22/5), Balfour gives an endorsement of the Coalition government and its handling of Ireland in the London Times.

This is a set-back to the ‘Die-Hards’ in the Conservative Party who were hoping that he would lead a Tory revolt.  However see Sep-08-24/1.

 

Matthews (2004), pg 76

Mar-08-22/1

In Belfast, 50-year-old Joseph Duffy was shot dead on York St.  Also, Robert Hazzard (24), a member of the Orange Order, is shot by the British military for allegedly sniping from a rooftop in York St.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 240 & 250

Mar-08-22/2

Reflecting the deteriorating economic situation in the country, the Provisional Government agrees to the dispersal of money to various county councils for the relief of unemployment.  Further sums were transferred in the coming months for this purpose.

 

Kissane (2005), pg 152

Mar-08-22/3

A delegation from the Expelled Workers Committee goes to Dublin from Belfast to ask the Provisional Government to re-impose the Belfast Boycott.

 

McDermott (2001), pg 177

Mar-08-22/4

The House of Commons at Westminster passes the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill.  See Mar-27-22/1.

Matthews (2004), pg 71

Mar-08-22/5

Making his last contribution in Westminster, Capt William Redmond unreservedly recommends the Treaty.

McCarthy (2015), pg 96

Mar-08-22/6

The constitution committee presents three different drafts of the constitution to Collins drawn up by three different groups within the committee.  When Collins went to London on May 26th (see May-27-22/1) he brought with him what was (with some amendments) the draft drawn up by Douglas, France and Kennedy.  (Curran gives a detailed summary of this document.)

 

Curran J M (1980), pgs 201-204; Townshend (2014), pg 400

Mar-08-22/7

Writing to Worthington-Evans, Macready produced figures showing that the balance of trouble making in Belfast was “due to so-called PROTESTANTS” and this was “in spite of any arguments that Craig and his Cabinet may use”. 

Despite this, Macready went on to recommend backing Craig’s plan to bolster the Special Constabulary. 

McMahon comments “The overriding desire of senior British army officers was to avoid getting dragged into the maintenance of security in Northern Ireland”.

 

McMahon (2008), pg 141

Mar-09-22/1

Churchill assures Craig’s wife, at dinner, that none of Llyod George’s ministers would stand for more than the rectification of Northern Ireland’s borders.  He then turned to Craig and repeated these assurances – he was so boisterous that Craig turned to Churchill’s wife and said “Take him home before he incriminates himself further”.  However, this was no drunken outburst, Churchill repeated these assurances to Craig when he met him the next day. 

See Jun-07-22/1.

 

Fanning (2013), pg 321; Matthews (2004), pg 78

Mar-09-22/2

Two RIC men were attacked in Hanover St., Cork and one is killed (Constable Dudley O'Sullivan). 

 

Abbott (2000), pg 280

Mar-09-22/3

A blind Catholic man, Patrick Morgan, is fatally wounded.  He is caught outside when a gunfight started in the Carrick Hill area of Belfast. 

Also, in the same area, a Catholic ex-soldier, Benedict Leith, is shot in the head and later dies.    A young Catholic boy, Terence Murphy (2) is shot in the leg when sniping breaks out in North Thomas St area of Belfast and he dies two days later.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 242 & 243; Parkinson (2020), pg 160

Mar-10-22/1

Two RIC men (Constable James Cullen (23) and Constable Patrick O'Connor (35)) are attacked at the corner of Dunlewey St and the Falls Rd in Belfast resulting in the death of both.  McDermott says that this was the start of more aggressive opposition of the Northern IRA to the NI Government. 

Also, a Protestant woman, Sarah Keys (27) is fatally wounded as she crosses Annadale St. in the New Lodge Rd area.  Two other Protestants – Herbert Woods (21) and Joseph Thompson - are shot dead in Belfast on this day.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 280;  Parkinson (2004), pg 241 & 249; McDermott (2001), pg 182

Mar-10-22/2

Lieutenant E. Bruce of the Seaforth Highlanders is killed in Alfred St. in Belfast.  Parkinson says he was killed by the IRA while McDermott says it is unclear whether he was killed by republicans or loyalists.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 244; McDermott (2001), pg 183

Mar-11-22/1

In disturbances following Robert Hazzard’s funeral (see Mar-08-22/1) in the Whitehouse area of Belfast, Hugh McAnaney (a Catholic) is shot dead.  

Also, a pregnant Catholic and mother of three children, Catherine Neeson (27), is shot by loyalist gunmen – she dies later after giving birth to her child.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 240 & 243; Parkinson (2020), pgs 160-161

Mar-11-22/2

The RIC barracks in Waterford City are handed over to the IRA.

McCarthy (2015), pg 98

Mar-11-22/3

Patrick Sexton is attacked and shot in the leg by the IRA on his way to work in Ennis Mental Hospital in Co. Clare.  He subsequently flees to England with his wife and child.

In his application to the Irish Distress Committee (set up in 1923 by the British government), Sexton claims that “I assisted His Majesty’s forces and the Royal Irish Constabulary in many ways, viz., by giving information which came to my knowledge as to the movement and intentions of the Republicans”. He was awarded £350 in compensation.

 

Power (2020), pg 48

cMar-12-22/1

A Protestant ex-BA soldier, William Allen, from Sackville St., Belfast is shot and dies later in hospital.

Parkinson (2004), pg 244

Mar-12-22/2

Parkinson says that Charles Vokes, a Protestant and a member of the Special Constabulary, was shot and fatally wounded by the BA in Belfast after he tried to escape from them following his arrest. (Abbott says he was shot accidentally by the BA.)

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 249; Abbott (2000), pg 320

Mar-12-22/3

In a publication called The Right of the People, Collins argues that the Irish people had always fought for the “democratic right to rule themselves” and that the departure of the British Army from Ireland was the real recognition of this right, not the Republic.

 

Kissane (2005), pg 60

Mar-13-22/1

RIC Sgt Christopher Clarke is shot dead on the Falls Rd., Belfast while returning from the funerals of Constables Cullen and O'Connor – see Mar-10-22/1. 

(It is alleged that Clarke was a member of the Nixon gang – see Apr-23-21/1 and Mar-23-22/3) The RIC returned fire and in the crossfire Daniel Rogan, a passer-by, is fatally wounded. 

A bomb is thrown at a group in Foundry St, Belfast injuring 14.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 280; Parkinson (2004), pg 244; McDermott (2001), pg 185; Lawlor (2009), pg 183

Mar-13-22/2

Slum residents, led by William James Larkin of the Limerick City Workers’ Housing Association, move into houses in Garryowen Villas which had previously housed families of the British Army’s Royal Engineers Corps (who were evacuating the city). Forty adults and 87 children moved into 27 houses. 

 

O’Callaghan (2018), pgs 103-104

Mar-13-22/3

Belfast Catholic businessman, JP O’Kane, says that nationalists in Belfast should recognise the NI Government as a way of putting an end to the “present campaign of persecution”.

 

McDermott (2001), pg 184

Mar-13-22/4

NI government presents Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act into the NI Parliament. It is ratified on April 7th - see Apr-07-22/1.

(McDermott says Dawson Bates introduced the bill into the NI Parliament on March 21st and McCluskey says March 15th.)

Hopkinson (1988), pg 81; Phoenix (1994), pg 194; Parkinson (2004), pg 203; McDermott (2001), pg 184 & 191; McCluskey (2014), pg 127; Parkinson (2020), pg 236

Mar-13-22/5

Craig informs the NI cabinet that Wilson (see Feb-21-22/6) had agreed to become military advisor to the NI government. 

On March 14th, Craig informed the NI Parliament of this decision and celebrated getting “so distinguished a soldier” to advise on security.  

See Mar-17-22/2.

 

 

Fanning (2013), pg 321; Hopkinson (1988), pg 81; Phoenix (1994), pg 194; Parkinson (2004), pg 203; Jeffrey (2006), pg 280

Mar-14-22/1

Craig tells the NI Parliament that unemployed workers in NI would receive the same benefits as their British counterparts.  However, unemployment relief was a ‘transferred’ service for which the NI government was solely responsible.  By the summer, unemployment in NI was to reach 25% so Craig was promising spending that his government did not have.  Craig acknowledged this by saying that the unemployment assistance would be “difficult to finance at the present time”. 

However, Craig got around this problem in the short term by employing unemployed Protestants as members of the USC (for whom funding had been paid by the British government – See Mar-06 to 07-22/1). 

For how Craig got around this problem in the longer term – see Jun-09-22/2.

 

Matthews (2004), pg 73

Mar-14-22/2

Local anti-Treaty IRA men attempt to disrupt a meeting being addressed by Collins in Cork.  Pro-Treaty meetings held in Durgarvan and Castlebar were similarly disrupted.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 76

Mar-14-22/3

Churchill writes to Collins and says “You seem to have liquidated the Limerick situation in one way or another.  No doubt you know your own business best, and thank God you have got to manage it and not me.  An adverse decision by the convention of the Irish Republican Army (so called) would, however, be a very grave event at the present juncture.  I presume you are quite sure there is no danger of this”.

See Mar-15-22/1

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 171

Mar-14-22/4

A Catholic child, Mary Wilson (4), is shot dead by a sniper as she sat on the doorstep of her Norfolk St home in Belfast.

Parkinson (2004), pg 243

Mar-15-22/1

Dáil cabinet decides to prohibit the IRA Army Convention due to take place on March 26th  However, anti-Treaty officers decide to go ahead with the Convention.

More Detail

 

See Mar-20-22/1.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 216; Hopkinson (1988), pg 66; Macardle (1999), pgs 676-677; Curran J M (1980), pg 171;  Neeson (1989), pg 95; Townshend (2014), pg3 291-392

Mar-15-22/2

Two ex-RIC men (Sgt Tobias Gibbons and Sgt John Gilmartin) are shot dead in their hospital beds in St Bridgid's (or Brides) Home, Galway and another constable wounded.

Another man, a civilian, Patrick Cassidy, who was a patient in Galway Hospital (see Mar-06-22/3) is also killed.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 281; Hart (1998), pg 114; McNamara (2018), pg 175; Price (2012), pgs 203-4

Mar-15 to 19-22/3

Eamonn de Valera announces the formation of a new political party called Cumann na Poblachta.  (Hopkinson says March 15th but Macardle says that it was formed in late January and Curran says early March.)

On March 16th, he makes a speech in Dungarvan, (guarded by armed members of the Waterford Brigade of the IRA) in which he says that acceptance of the Treaty meant that freedom could only be won by civil war and if they did not fight today they must fight tomorrow.

On March 17th (or perhaps March 14th), in Carrick-on-Suir, he told an audience that included 700 IRA men that if the Treaty was accepted “the fight for freedom would still go on; and the Irish people, instead of fighting foreign soldiers, would have to fight the Irish soldiers of an Irish Government set up by Irishmen.  If the Treaty was not rejected, perhaps it was over the bodies of the young men he saw around him that day that the fight for Irish freedom may be fought”. 

On March 17th in Thurles he says “"If they accepted the Treaty … the Volunteers … would have to wade through Irish blood, through the blood of the soldiers of the Irish Government and through, perhaps, the blood of some of the members of the Government in order to get Irish freedom”.  

On March 19th (or perhaps 18th), de Valera says in a speech in Killarney that the Republic must exist because “Men and women were shot for helping the enemy, and there were be no justification for the shooting of these if the Republic did not exist”.  He continued, again in front of IRA units, "if we continue on that movement which was begun when the Volunteers were started, and we suppose this Treaty is ratified by your votes, then these men, in order to achieve freedom, will have … to march over the dead bodies of their own brothers.  They will have to wade through Irish blood."  In this speech, he also says that “the people had never a right to do wrong”. 

These speeches are castigated by many as highly irresponsible and an incitement to civil war and were the cause for many people laying the blame for the subsequent civil war on de Valera’s shoulders.  De Valera attempted to say that his speeches were not incitements but warnings.  However, Keogh says that de Valera’s attempt to refute interpretations of his words were not very convincing. Keogh also says that, at this time, de Valera was under “great personal strain and may have suffered what is known today as a nervous breakdown”.

 

Litton (1995), pg 43; Hopkinson (1988), pg 71; Macardle (1999), pg 657; Curran J M (1980), pg 173; McCarthy (2015), pg 100-101; Townshend (2014), pg 361; Keogh (2005), pg 6; Power (2020), pg 22; Ferriter (2021), pg 4

Mar-15-22/4

In Belfast, a 24-year-old Catholic, Patrick Rooney is shot dead in the York St area.

Parkinson (2004), pg 240

Mar-16-22/1

A bomb is lobbed from the Newtonards Rd into Seaforde St in Belfast injuring five people and one of them, John Kearney – a Catholic – dies later in hospital.  

Also, John Taylor (52) – a Protestant – is shot by the Crown forces in the west of the city.  Around this time another Protestant, William Johnson (27) was shot by the British Army for allegedly sniping from his Louisa St. home.

Four bombs were thrown around this time in Belfast, three in the Short Strand.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 247 & 249; McDermott (2001), pg 186

Mar-16-22/2

Dawson Bates declares in the NI parliament that “we are at war” with the IRA.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 194; McDermott (2001), pg 186

Mar-16-22/3

Seven pro-Treaty soldiers are arrested by the RIC and Specials in Cosquin, just across the Donegal-Derry border in Co. Londonderry.  They are held for several months but are released in September after they recognise the Northern Courts.

 

Gallagher (2003), pg 38

Mar-16-22/4

William Kane (50), a Catholic milkman, is shot dead on the Newtownards Rd. in Belfast.

Parkinson (2004), pg 240

Mar-16-22/5

A convention is held in Kilkenny Military Barracks with representatives of all nine battalions and 62 companies that make up the Kilkenny Brigade of the IRA.  Speeches are made both pro- and anti- the Treaty but no vote is taken.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 160

Mar-17-22/1

A Special Constable (S/Con Alexandra Fitzpatrick) is shot and fatally wounded at Moyola Bridge, Upperlands, Co. Londonderry.

 

Abbott (2000), pgs 281-282

Mar-17-22/2

Wilson (as the newly appointed military advisor to the NI government – see Mar-13-22/5) presents his plans for the security of NI at a special conference held in the Ministry of Home Affairs in Belfast. 

He calls for an increase in the number of Special Constables, especially the ‘C’ Specials and emphasises good leadership.  This is later approved by the NI cabinet with Craig saying that Wilson’s plans were “merely a strengthening of the existing organization and forces”. 

Wilson appoints Major-General Arthur Solly-Flood as his deputy and, in April, he develops a detailed plan for the policing of NI including the massive expansion of the number of Special Constables.  Initially, requests to London for the funding to realise this plan are refused by London.  However – see May-12-22/4.

 

Jeffrey (2006), pgs 279-280; McDermott (2001), pg 191; McMahon (2008), pg 146

Mar-17-22/3

Tom Jones tells Llyod George that he is “every disquieted at the position we are moving in relation to Ulster” as it represents the abandonment of the “bargain” that he made with the Irish signatories of the Treaty. 

He points out that the Treaty included agreement that Northern Ireland was to remain part of the United Kingdom with powers no greater and no less than they had under the 1920 Government of Ireland Act.  (See Article XII of the Treaty.)   It would be another “breach of faith”, Jones argued “if we continue in the present policy of (a) paying for the Special Constables, (b) making other grants to Ulster, (c) cloaking a military force under the guise of a police force, (d) allowing Henry Wilson to proceed unchallenged to prepare his ‘scheme’ for which the Northern Parliament is voting £2,000,000 … and bringing us back to the position we were in 1914 [during the Curragh mutiny] …Is it not the duty of the British Government to undertake the control of the border and to remove all justification from the Northern Government for these swollen police forces?”

Fanning comments that Jones’s liberal leanings ran up against the brick wall of parliamentary arithmetic.  Matthews notes that “Despite the fact that Austen Chamberlain agreed that Jones and Curtis (see Mar-18-22/1) were ‘substantially right’, their objections were unheeded”.

 

Fanning (2013), pgs 322-323;  Matthews (2004), pg 73; Roskill (1972), pg 264

Mar-18-22/1

A Secret Memorandum on the Present Position of the Imperial Government in Northern Ireland states the government of Northern Ireland “has succeeded in assuming the military functions specifically preserved to the British government simply by calling their forces “police” … in the absence of any deliberate policy or effective measures on the part of the British government to keep the border intact it is difficult to impute blame to the government of Northern Ireland”. 

In possibly the same memo to the British Cabinet, Tom Jones and Lionel Curtis say that the NI government were “developing an army under the name of police” which could be used against imperial troops.

 

Ferriter (2021), pg 28; McMahon (2008), pg 141

Mar-18-22/2

Specials commandeer St Mary’s Hall in Belfast which housed the IRA Liaison Office.

McDermott says that this marked the formal end of the Truce by the NI Government and the Provisional Government in Dublin issues a statement saying this action was a very serious breach of the truce.  

Parkinson says that a small arsenal was discovered and, more importantly, detailed information on IRA personnel in the city and through-out Ulster. (Documents were also found with the names and addresses of many USC men   Parkinson notes that the “northern IRA was not to be the same after this raid” and McDermott says that “The damage done to the IRA by the raid is incalculable.  The names of prominent IRA men, not only in Belfast, but in the nine counties [of Ulster] were now known.”  McDermott has a discussion on the subsequent break-up of the IRA in Belfast into pro- and anti-Treaty factions with most going pro-Treaty.  In reaction, Collins authorised a concerted offensive against the RIC and Specials in West Ulster in which six policemen are killed.  Ozseker says that documents were also found that embarrassed Collins.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 195; Parkinson (2004), pgs 217-218 & 241; McDermott (2001), pgs 187-188; Ozseker (2019), pg 164; Parksinson (2020), pg 85

Mar-18-22/3

Meeting of the Supreme Council of IRB along with division and county centres meet in 41 Parnell Sq.  No resolution but strong sentiment still in favour of unity.  (O’Donoghue points out that this group had no official standing in the constitution of the IRB.) 

See Apr-19-22/2.

 

O'Donoghue (1986), pg 233; Townshend (2014), pg 369

Mar-18-22/4

A bomb is thrown by a loyalists into the home of Belfast Catholics, Mary Mullan (40) and Rose McGreevy – both later die from the injuries received.

Also, Augustus Orange (24), a Catholic, is shot in the Woodstock area and dies the next day. Also, a Protestant, James Harkness (32) was shot dead by a sniper on the Newtownards Rd. 

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 242 & 251; Parkinson (2020), pg 159

Mar-19-22/5

The IRA attack the RIC barracks in Maghera, Co. Londonderry and make away with a substantial quantity of arms.  A party of IRA were destroying Moyola bridge between Maghera and Upperlands (to prevent USC reinforcements from Magherafelt from chasing them) when a Special Constable comes along – he is shot dead.  (This Special Constable is presumably Alexandra Fitzpatrick – see Mar-17-22/1.)

 

Grant (2018), pg3 132-133; Ozseker (2019), pg 165

Mar-19-22/6

Henry Garvey (25), a Protestant, is shot dead in North Howard St in Belfast. Also, a bomb planted on an Antrim Road tram by the IRA kills Alexander Devaney (35), a Protestant, and injures many passengers.  

Later, loyalist gunmen call to the home of Margaret Murphy in Campbell St and kill her when they discover that their intended target, her husband, is not home.  (Mrs Murphy was a Protestant married to a Catholic.)

Parkinson (2004), pg 241 & 250; McDermott (2001), pg 189; Parkinson (2020), pg 159

Mar-19-22/7

With the help of a sympathetic constable, the IRA raid Pomeroy RIC barracks in Co. Tyrone.  The tie up the RIC men in the barracks and remove the weapons.  Charlie Daly deemed this “a very successful job”.

 

McCluskey (2014), pg 120

Mar-20-22/1

Mulcahy meets with leaders of the 1st Southern Division IRA in Mallow and agrees that a council should be set to discuss how the IRA could be associated with the "Government elected by the Irish people.".  However, 1st Southern Division demands that recruiting to the Civic Guard should be stopped. 

The Dáil cabinet rejects this and the Republican Military Council decide to go ahead with the Army Convention on March 26th – see also Mar-23-22/1.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 67; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 81; Townshend (2014), pg 392

Mar-20-22/2

James Magee, a Catholic, is killed by a loyalist gunman in the Earl St area of Belfast. 

Also, James Hillis (23), a Catholic, is beaten by a mob before being shot.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 241 & 250

Mar-20-22/3

Special Constable Foster MacGeagh dies after being shot accidentally in the Antrim Road RIC Barracks in Belfast

Abbott (2019), pgs 409

Mar-21-22/1

In the British House of Commons, Churchill is asked if he not think it “extremely undesirable that a Government that is not a Republican Government should utilize forces which describe themselves as Republican”.  Churchill replied that “I think in all the difficult circumstances prevailing in Ireland, the Provisional Government are doing their best”.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 672

Mar-21-22/2

A Special Constable (S/Con Samuel Laird) is fatally wounded during an attack by the Dromore IRA on the home of his employer (John Allinghamm the local B Specials Commander) at Glengeen Lodge, Trillick, Co. Tyrone. The homes of four other members of the USC are burnt. 

See Mar-22-22/1.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 282; McCluskey (2014), pg 120

 

Mar-21-22/3

Kilbride Camp in Wicklow is taken over anti-Treaty men from South Dublin Brigade under Pat O’Carroll.  He goes to Beggar’s Bush barracks in order to get arms for his men but he is refused. 

However, South Dublin Brigade O/C Andy McDonnell arrives and they take arms and equipment without permission and bring them back to Kilbride.

 

Durney (2011), pgs 62-63

Mar-22-22/1

A Special Constable (S/Con George Chittick) is shot dead when his home is attacked by the IRA at Carrs Mountain, Trillick, Co. Tyrone. 

In retaliation for this killing and the one the previous day, a loyalist group (reputed to include ‘B’ Specials) kill three Catholics in the area on March 24th.  They were Edward McLaughlin, Francis Kelly and William Kelly – all three are from Trillick. 

(McCluskey says that the three men were killed by the USC and states that it was part of an on-going state of terror imposed by the USC which lasted until June.  This included the abduction of T.J. Gallagher.)

 

Abbott (2000), pg 282; Phoenix (1994), pg 195; McCluskey (2014), pg 120

Mar-22-22/2

A Protestant ex-BA soldier, William Hunter, is shot dead in Fountain St. North in Belfast.

Parkinson (2004), pg 244

Mar-22-22/3

Following the signing of the Treaty there was a major split in the Irish Self-Determination League (ISDL) in Britain and while the most of the ISDL were pro-Treaty, there was an internal struggle in which Art O’Brien (who was anti-Treaty) came out on top but much of the membership drifted away.  

On this date, the Special Branch of the London Metropolitan Police report that the ISDL was “almost dead” and that there was “nothing but apathy and confusion” in the membership.

 

McMahon (2008), pg 103

Mar-22-22/4

Rory O'Connor holds what was to become an infamous press conference in the HQ of de Valera’s Cumann na Poblachta in Suffolk St in Dublin.  

 

More Detail

Hopkinson (1988), pg 67; Macardle (1999), pg 678; Curran J M (1980), pg 172; Nesson (1989), pg 95; Doyle (2008), pgs-84-85; Townshend (2014), pgs 396-397; Ferriter (2021), pg 34; Kissane (2005), pg 69

Mar 22 to 23- 22/1

Reacting to criticisms of his speeches (see Mar-15 to 19-22/3), de Valera and his supporters say in the Irish Independent and The Republic of Ireland that his speeches were not incitements but responsible and fair warnings. 

See Mar-26-22/4.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 174

Mar-23-22/1

In a letter to Eoin O'Duffy (Chief-of-Staff), Richard Mulcahy (Minister of Defence) orders the suspension of any officer or man who takes part in the "sectional" Convention (but he also says to try and avoid antagonism). 

See Mar-26-22/2.

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 217

Mar-23-22/2

Two Special Constables (S/Constable William Chermside or Cairnside and S/Constable Thomas Cunningham) are shot in May St., Belfast and later die from their wounds. 

Later in the evening, two Catholics, Peter Murphy (61) and Sarah McShane (15), are shot dead in the Short Strand.  A Protestant, John Murdock, is shot dead at his place of work on the Falls Rd.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 282; Parkinson (2004), pg 229 & 240

Mar-23-22/3

The McMahon Family Murders

In what is taken as a retaliation for the killing of the two Special Constables (see Mar-23-22/2) and perhaps the killing of Sgt Christy Clarke (see Mar-13-22/1), the McMahon family home in Belfast is raided by five RIC men and six members of the McMahon household - father Owen McMahon (50), four of his sons and one of his pub managers Edward McKinney - are shot with all receiving fatal injuries.   

More Detail  

Litton (1995), pgs 51-52; Phoenix (1994), pg 195; Parkinson (2004), pgs 229-239; McDermott (2001), pg 193-195; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 79-81; Parkinson (2020), pgs 170-181

Mar-24-22/1

Collins writes to Churchill about the British government’s funding of the Ulster Special Constabulary (see Mar-06 to 07-22/1) – he says that His Majesty’s Government was arming an “openly partisan force” and “no matter what they do or how they carry on, your parliament will foot the bill”.

(The Times of London reports Collins as saying that Henry Wilson was a “violent Orange partisan”.)

 

Matthews (2004), pg 72; Jeffrey (2006), pg 280

Mar-24-22/2

Churchill asks Craig and Collins to come to London to discuss the situation in the north-east because of the recent murders in Belfast. 

See Mar-26-22/1.

 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 196-197

Mar-24-22/3

James Corr (70), a Catholic, is fatally wounded a he delivers coal in the Newtownards Rd area of Belfast.

William Campbell, a Protestant, is killed by a sniper in the New Lodge Rd area and Patrick Fitzsimons (20), a Catholic, dies of his wounds in the Mater Hospital having been shot the previous day. 

Also, John Bell (26), a Protestant, is shot on the Ravenhill Rd and dies two days later.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 241 & 250

Mar-25-22/1

The Provisional Government of Ireland Committee of the British Cabinet concludes that the "present situation would rapidly lead to further outrages and then to civil war unless the British Government intervened".

 

 

Mar-25-22/2

In Belfast, John Dempster (20), a Catholic, is shot and dies from his wounds five days later.

Parkinson (2004), pg 250

Mar-25-22/3

The ex-RIC barracks in Newtowncunningham in Co. Donegal, which had a pro-Treaty garrison, comes under attack.  It is not known whether the attackers were Specials who had crossed the nearby border or anti-Treaty troops.  The barracks is subsequently evacuated and taken over by anti-Treaty troops.  See May-04-22/3.

 

Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 79

Mar-26-22/1

A group of Catholic businessmen in Belfast draw up – in consultation with Craig and Bishop MacRory – a set of proposals aimed at calming the situation.  These proposals were to become the basis of the 2nd Craig-Collins pact on the March 30th – see Mar-29 to 30/1.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 197

Mar-26-22/2

IRA Convention of (pre-dominantly) anti-Treaty delegates meets in Mansion House, Dublin with about 220 delegates present).   They claim to represent about 80% of the Army.  

More Detail 

 

See Mar-28-22/3.

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 219; Hopkinson (1988), pg 68; Neeson (1989), pgs 95-96; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 83-84; Townshend (2014), pg 392

Mar-26-22/3

It is reported that there had been 331 raids on post offices between March 23rd and April 19th; also 319 attacks on Great Southern and Western Railways between March 1st and April 22nd.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 90

Mar-26-22/4

In a speech seen as a reply to de Valera’s speeches in mid-March (see Mar-15 to 19-22/3), before a large crowd on the Mall in Waterford City, Michael Collins says that de Valera “can give you anarchy – a full measure of that anarchy of which his tactics have already given you an unpleasant sample.  He cannot give you a Republic.  Mr de Valera is no more able to give you a republic now than he was last July when he accepted the Truce”. 

See Mar-27-22/2.

 

McCarthy (2015), pg 101

Mar-26-22/5

An ex-RIC man (Constable Patrick Poland) is seriously wounded near Patrick's Bridge in Cork City.

Abbott (2000), pg 293

Mar-26-22/6

Order issued by O/C 2nd Northern Division IRA (Tom Morris) directing that the property of ‘prominent loyalists’ should be destroyed and that reprisals should be carried out six fold to prevent them from continuing in the same vein. 

Two nights later a flax mill in Tobermore, Co. Londonderry owned by the local Head Constable of the USC is subjected to an arson attack – see Apr-04-22/3.

 

Grant (2018), pg 133

Mar-26-22/7

A Protestant, John McGarry, is ‘accidentally’ shot in Earl St in Belfast.  Also, a Catholic woman, Maggie Savage (21) is shot dead by a stray bullet as she sat in her home in Lepper St area during a gunfight between the IRA and police.

Two other Catholics, James Magee and James Neeson were shot dead by the BA during disturbances in Raglan St. 

In a subsequent raid on a house on Raglan St., the police captured 5 IRA men – Thomas and Ernst Flynn, John Simpson, Joseph Savage and Patrick McCarragher. 

Two Catholics – Hugh McNally and Thomas Mullen – and two Protestants – William Steele and Ellen Greer die in uncertain circumstances around this time.  Also, a Protestant – Harry Brennan (19) – dies of gunshot wounds to the head sustained on Grosvenor Rd. 

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 242 & 249 & 347; McDermott (2001), pg 195

Mar-27-22/1

The British House of Lords in Westminster passes the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill without a division.  See Mar-31-22/7.

Matthews (2004), pg 71

Mar-27-22/2

The Irish Independent carries comments from Collins on de Valera’s speeches. 

He says that a leader has to be mindful of his words and says “while it was perfectly justifiable for any body of Irishmen, no matter how small, to rise up and make a stand against their country’s enemy, it is not justifiable for a minority to oppose the wishes of the majority of their own countrymen, except by constitutional means.”  (This comment hints to the difficulties that the legacy of the 1916 Easter Rising gave to the pro-Treatyites.)

See also cDec-1920/3.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 175

Mar-27-22/3

As an indication of how febrile the atmosphere is in Dublin, pro-Treaty Army officers (including Sean MacMahon and Vinny Byrne) drive around the city to each army post and addressed the men in each post in an effort to ensure their loyalty. 

At the Bank of Ireland post in College Green, Byrne threatened to shoot any man who left his post.  Of the 50 men in the post, only six stayed loyal to the pro-Treaty GHQ – the rest were discharged.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 38

Mar-27-22/4

A circular is sent to all RIC barracks saying that disbandment of the RIC is to commence immediately (except in the Six Counties) and is to be completed by May 31st 1922.  (A clarifying circular is sent two days later.)

Abbott (2000), pg 292; Abbott (2019), pgs 374-376

Mar-27-22/5

An ex-RIC man (Sgt Arthur Gloster) was shot dead in Barrack's St., Cork City.

Abbott (2000), pg 293

Mar-27-22/6

Robert Simpson, Chair of the Ulster Protestant Association (UPA) is arrested in the Beersbrigde area of Belfast. 

More Detail

 

See Nov-05-22/2

Parkinson (2004), pg 280; Parkinson (2020), pg 153

Mar-27 to 28-22/1

The RIC barracks in Buncrana in Co. Donegal is taken over by pro-Treaty forces under Commandant Joseph McLaughlin. 

There were loud cheers from the assembled crowd when the tricolour was flown from one of the upper windows.  The next day the two RIC barracks in Letterkenny are taken over by pro-Treaty troops under Tom Glennon and the same day the two barracks in Lifford and Raphoe are taken over, also by pro-Treaty forces.

The RIC barracks in Carndonagh, Moville and Muff were taken over by anti-Treaty forces under the direction of Peadar O’Donnell.  Anti-Treaty forces also hold the RIC barracks in Ballyshannon and the ex-BA barracks at Finner Camp.

 

Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 86-87

Mar-28-22/1

At a meeting of the anti-Treaty TDs, there are calls for a suspension of political meetings by both parties “so that attention … might be concentrated on the intolerable situation in Belfast”.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 683

Mar-28-22/2

Leitrim IRA leader, Charlie McGoohan leads at attack on the RIC barracks in Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh.  No casualties on either side but the IRA make away with a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

 

McGarty (2020), pg 112

Mar-28-22/3

Executive of anti-Treaty forces issues statement saying that Minister of Defence and his Chief-of-Staff no longer exercised any control over the Army and that recruitment to the Provisional Government’s military and police forces should be stopped.  It also says that all IRA units were to reaffirm allegiance to the Republic on April 2nd.

See Mar-29-22/1.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 221; Curran J M (1980), pg 172; Neeson (1989), pg 96; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 84

Mar-29-22/1

Executive of anti-Treaty forces orders destruction of the Freeman's Journal printing presses following what it took as misleading reports of Convention in that paper. 

Rory O'Connor leads IRA party in destruction of Freeman’s Journal presses.

Also, the Executive orders battalion parades for Sunday April 2nd. 

In a statement giving background to Convention, they say that they were stalled by the pro-Treaty side with the intention of gaining "time to establish a paid, uniformed, and equipped force to be the nucleus of a Free Sate Army".

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 221 and pg 337; Macardle (1999), pg 679; Neeson (1989), pg 96

Mar-29-22/2

An eight-man RIC and USC patrol is ambushed at Ballincarrig Bridge, Cullaville, Co. Armagh and results in the deaths of RIC Sgt Patrick Early and S/Con James Harper.  IRA is probably led by Frank Aiken and a captured S/Constable is released.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 283; Lawlor (2011), pg 256; Harnden (2000), pgs 133-134

Mar-29-22/3

Forces under Sean O'Hegarty - Commandant Cork No. 1 Brigade - capture British ship Upnor which had a cargo of military supplies which it was bringing back to England and land them at Ballycotton pier. 

More Detail 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 225-6; Hart (1998), pg 116; Hopkinson (1988), pg 74; Macardle (1999), pg 679; Curran J M (1980), pg 173; Neeson (1989), pgs 97-101; McMahon 92008), pg 72

Mar-29-22/4

In Belfast, the IRA assassinate Samuel Mullan (20) alleging that he is an informer.  Also, around this time a Catholic teenager – John Sweeney – is shot dead by a sniper in the Carrick Hill area of the city.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 249

Mar-29-22/5

After attending the anti-Treaty convention on March26th, Martin Fallon, O/C of the North Roscommon Brigade, meets with pro-Treaty officers Sean MacEoin and Eoin O’Duffy in the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

After this meeting, Fallon along with his brigade staff decide to change and support the pro-Treaty side.

On hearing this, Brian MacNeill, Adjutant of the anti-Treaty 3rd Western Division takes over the military barracks in Boyle, Co. Roscommon and Fallon’s men take over the workhouse in the town.

 

Farry (2012), pg 93; McGarty (2020), pg 115

Mar-29-22/6

The two main RIC barracks in Dundalk (Anne St and Bridge St) are evacuated and occupied by IRA companies.

Gavin and O’Donnell (1999), pg 30

Mar-29 to 30/1

Second Craig-Collins Pact. 

British government brings together representatives of the NI and Provisional governments in London on March 29th and 30th.  This leads to the Second Craig-Collins Pact signed on March 30th.  

More Detail 

 

See Apr-20-22/2.

 

 

Augusteijn (2002), pg 234; Litton (1995), pg 52; Hopkinson (1988), pgs 82- 83; Macardle (1999), pgs 683-684; Curran J M (1980), pg 177; Phoenix (1994), pgs 198-200; Parkinson (2004), pgs 201-203; McDermott (2001), pgs 196-197; Fanning (2013), pgs 323-324; Ferriter (2021), pg 28; McMahon (2008), pg 142; Parkinson (2020), pgs 144-149

Mar-31-22/1

There is a sectarian bomb attack by republicans on the Donnelly home -  a Protestant family – on Brown St in Belfast.  One child Francis (2) dies instantly and two other children badly wounded – one of whom Joseph (12) later dies in hospital. 

   

Phoenix (1994), pg 201; Parkinson (2004), pg 248; McDermott (2001), pg 200; Parkinson (2020), pgs 168 & 207

Mar-31-22/2

Advertisements appear in the newspapers for recruits to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

McDermott (2001), pg 198

Mar-31-22/3

A Special Constable (S/Con David Allen) is killed when his patrol is attacked in John Mitchel Place in Newry, Co. Down.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 283; Lawlor (2011), pg 256

Mar-31-22/4

Two Special Constables in plains cloths are attacked on Short Strand, Belfast resulting in the death of one (S/Con Thomas Hall). 

In retaliation, a Catholic area of Belfast (Stanhope St. and Arnon St.) is raided by Crown Forces. This results in four deaths (an old man, a sailor home on leave, a man named Walsh and his 7-year old son).  Phoenix says five Catholics are killed.  This atrocity became known as the Arnon St Affair and RIC involvement in these killings was strongly suspected. 

More Detail

 

Abbott (2000), pg 284; Phoenix (1994), pg 201; Litton (1995), pg 52; Hopkinson (1988), pg 704; Parkinson (2004), pgs 245-247 & 250; McDermott (2001), pgs 201-203

Mar-31-22/5

A USC patrol ambushes an IRA unit which was destroying a bridge at Dunamore, Co. Tyrone.  One IRA volunteer, Frank Ward, is killed.

 

McCluskey (2014), pg 121

Mar-31-22/6

Anti-Treaty men take £239 in raids on two post-offices in Kilkenny City

Walsh (2018), pg 154

Mar-31-22/7

The Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill receives royal assent.  It had passed in the House of Commons on March 8th (by a majority of 243) and passed the House of Lords on March 7th without a division.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 689; Hopkinson (1988), pg 54

Mar-1922/1

At the end of March, Francis Flynn (81) was mortally wounded when a bomb was thrown into her home in Unity St., Belfast.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 243; Parkinson (2020), 160pg

Mar-1922/2

By the end of March, the RIC are withdrawn from 19 of the 26 counties and concentrated in one or two centres in each of the remaining seven counties.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 91

Mar-1922/3

Anti-Treaty forces kill two people in Co. Longford.  The first was a pro-Treaty soldier called Fitzgerald from Mohill, Co. Leitrim who was shot in Duignan’s bar in Ballinamuck.  The second was an elderly woman called Mrs Fitzpatrick who they shot in mistake for her son (who was a pro-Treaty soldier).

 

Coleman (2003), pg 145

Mar-1922/4

Phoenix says 60 people die in a ‘crescendo of murder, bombing, rioting, and general anarchy’ in Belfast during March.  McDermott says that 37 Catholics and 25 Protestants had been killed in Belfast during March. 

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 191; McDermott (2001), pg 191

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