March 1923

Mar-01

Thirty members of the pro-Treaty army enter Bessborough House in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny and burn it to the ground.  Their reason is that it was being used by anti-Treaty columns in the areas who were carrying out a lot of actions destroying rail infrastructure.  The house was owned by Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough.  The Free State had to completely rebuild Bessborough House to the exact designs of the original.

Walsh (2018), pgs 227-228

Mar-01

The Freeman’s Journal reports that pro-Treaty soldier John Ryan shot himself dead when cleaning his revolver in Co. Kerry.

Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-02

Tom Crofts, who had taken over from Deasy as O/C 1st Southern Division of anti-Treaty forces, says that “We are completely on the rocks”.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 239

Mar-02

Key anti-Treaty IRA men in North Tipperary such as Paddy Ryan Lacken and Sean Gaynor are captured around this time and later in the month the anti-Treaty columns in the Silvermines area are broken up.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 245

Mar-02

Knockabbey, which is owned by the O’Reilly family, in Co. Louth is destroyed.

Hall (2019), pg 118

May-03

Cosgrave sends a peace offer to de Valera based on two principles (a) all political issues to be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the Irish people and (b) all lethal weapons to be in the effective control of the government.

Garvin (1996), pgs 120-121

Mar-04

Pro-Treaty troops from Clonmel, Co Tipperary find the body of their comrade Sergeant Thomas McGrath at Clerihan -  he had been shot many times and labelled ‘Convicted Spy’.

McCarthy (2015), pg 118

Mar-05

Having learnt about a column of an anti-Treaty column billeted around Garrane (or Gurrane) Hills or Mountains near Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, the pro-Treaty army sends out three columns in an attempt to encircle the entire column. 

One of the pro-Treaty columns surrounds the O’Connell farmhouse in which a number of anti-Treaty men are staying.  After a gun battle, six anti-Treaty men surrender (including Kerry No. 3 Brigade V/C Denis Daly; Brigade QM Dan O’Connor and 1st Battalion O/C Michael Griffin).  The remainder of the anti-Treaty column manages to escape towards Glencar.

Two pro-Treaty soldiers, Lieutenant Timothy O’Shea (from Cahirciveen) and Sergeant Jeremiah Quaine were killed.  Private William Healy (from Valentia) is killed and two pro-Treaty soldiers are wounded in another firefight.  According to Macardle, only one anti-Treaty man (engineer Dan Clifford) was killed but it would seem that, during follow-up operations on the 6th, Volunteer Sean T. O’Sullivan was killed at Gleesk, near Glenbeigh.   

Macardle (1998), pgs 28-29; Horgan (2018), pgs 103-104; Doyle (2008), pg 268-270; O’Farrell (1997), pgs 201, 205, 210, 214, 219,

Mar-05

15 anti-Treaty prisoners escape from Galway Jail. 

Price (2012), pg 245

Mar-05

An attack by anti-Treaty forces on Cahirciveen is repelled.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 241

Mar-06

At Bairinarig wood, near Knocknagashel, Castleisland, Co Kerry five members of pro-Treaty army are killed and another very badly injured – they were searching for an arms dump when they set of a trip mine.  They were working of false information sent to them by the anti-Treaty army in an effort to lure them into a trap.  

The five killed were Lieutenant Paddy O’Connor (who was from the locality), Captains Michael Dunne and Edward Stapleton (who were from Dublin) and Privates Michael Galvin and Laurence O’Connor (from Killarney and Causeway, Co. Kerry respectively).

Doyle gives the background to this explosion and says that the explosion “and the series of atrocities carried out by government troop in retaliation for the deaths have come to define the extremes of experience of the Civil War in Kerry”.  See March 7th,

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 240; Macardle (1998), pg 16; Dorney (2017), pg 245; Doyle (2008), pgs 270-271

Mar-06

The Deputy Chief of Staff of the anti-Treaty forces writes to his Chief of Staff (Lynch) complaining about the dumping of arms “It is outrageous that about 1,200 rifles are in the 1st Southern area of which close on 500 are dumped, yet this Area will not assist other areas where opportunities afford for using Arms”.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 239

Mar-06

A young pro-Treaty soldier, Richard Duggan, is accidently shot in Waterford Infirmary where he is stationed.  He dies on the 11th March.

Walsh (2018), pg 236

Mar-08

Three anti-Treaty volunteers are captured near Grange, Co. Waterford.  One is Bill Lennon who had joined the pro-Treaty army but subsequently left them to join the anti-Treaty side.  As his comrades knew that he could be shot as a deserter, they conducted a raid on the hospital in which he was recuperating and rescued him.

McCarthy (2015), pgs 118-119

Mar-07

Con Moloney, Adjutant General, anti-Treaty army is captured in his hideout in Moore’s Wood, Rossadrehid in the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary along with two other officers (including Jim Moloney, Con’s brother, who was Director of Communications).  Tom Derrig takes over as Adjutant General.

 

O'Donoghue (1986), pg 297 Hopkinson (1988), pg 236 & 244; O’Halpin (2019), pg 21

Mar-07

At Ballyseedy, outside Tralee, Co Kerry, eight anti-Treaty prisoners are blown up.  Nine prisoners, after being selected by Colonel David Neligan and Captain Ned Breslin, had been taken from Ballymullen barracks in Tralee to Ballyseedy Cross in order to, according to the pro-Treaty side, clear a mine.  However, the prisoners were tied to a mine made by pro-Treaty men and the mine was detonated.  One prisoner (Stephen Fuller) escaped by being thrown over a hundred yards by the blast.  Body parts of those killed were scattered over several hundred yards. 

The eight prisoners killed were as follows:  John Daly (Castleisland), George [O,]Shea (Lixnaw), Timothy Twomey (Lixnaw), Patrick Harnett (Listowel), James [O’]Connell, John O’Connor (Liverpool), Patrick Buckley (Scartaglin)  and James Walsh (Lisdoigue). 

Ó Ruairc notes that Patrick Buckley had been an RIC man.  However, he  helped the IRA capture Newmarket-on-Fergus or Sixmilebridge RIC barracks (see June 13th 1920 and August 6th 1920) and subsequently left the RIC. He had gone back to his native Castleisland, Co. Kerry and joined the IRA.  After the Treaty, he took the anti-Treaty side.  

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 241; Macardle (1998), pgs 16-19; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 316; Doyle (2008), pgs 272-274

Mar-07

Five anti-Treaty prisoners are brought from the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry to Countess Bridge between Killarney and Kilcummin. The prisoners are told to remove a barricade but, when they start, the pro-Treaty troops lob hand grenades at them and spray them with machine guns.  Four anti-Treaty prisoners are killed but, as at Ballyseedy, one prisoner (Tadgh Coffey) escapes. 

The names of the four prisoners killed are Jerimiah [O’] Donoghue, Stephen Buckley, Daniel [O’]Donoghue and Tim Murphy. (Jerimiah O’Donoghue and Buckley are from Killarney while Daniel O’Donoghue and Tim Murphy are from Kilcummin.)

As at Ballyseedy, the pro-Treaty side put out the story that the men died when clearing a mine placed by the anti-Treaty side.

Another attempt to get prisoners to ‘clear’ a mine at Castlemaine is foiled when some of the prisoners escape. 

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 241; Macardle (1998), pgs 20-25; Doyle (2008), pgs 274-275

Mar-07

In a reply to Lynch’s letter of the 28th Feb, de Valera says that the army should either ‘leave all political matters to the Government’ or ‘If they want to deal with the political situation … they will have to think intelligently along political lines’.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 234

Mar-07

A pro-Treaty soldier (Private Christopher Green from Dublin) is shot dead while on sentry duty at Barraduff, Co. Kerry.

Doyle (2008), pg 275

Mar-07

A CID officer fires at a wanted man at the corner of Grafton St and Nassau St in Dublin.  He misses but mortally wounds 67-year old George Fitzhenry from Fairview.

Dorney (2017), pg 243

Mar-08

Joe Baker’s anti-Treaty column of 14 men is captured at Buckagh Mountain near Skerdagh, Co. Mayo.  An anti-treaty man, Captain Jim Moran, is killed during this engagement.  The captured men are badly treated by pro-Treaty officers.

Price (2012), pg 253

Mar-08

Seamus Taylor, an anti-Treaty prisoner in Killorglin Barracks, is being taken to Tralee, Co. Kerry when he is killed at Ballyseedy Wood.  The pro-Treaty side say that he was killed in an ambush but the anti-Treaty side say that he was killed by his captors. (Doyle says 9th.)

 

Macardle (1998), pg 33; Doyle (2008), pg 276

May-09

Kevin O’Higgins reiterates that the pro-Treaty government will take no steps towards setting up the Boundary Commission until such time as ‘stable conditions’ are in place. However, the Irish News continues its campaign against the delays. The North-Eastern Boundary Commission in Dublin send former Belfast journalist Hugh A. McCartan to Derry, Belfast and Down to gauge nationalist feeling.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 278

Mar-09

During a large sweep by pro-Treaty troops trying to capture an anti-Treaty column in south-east Kilkenny, a gun battle breaks out resulting in the death of pro-Treaty soldier, Gerald Jeremiah Comerford.  The anti-Treaty column escapes through Inistioge.

Walsh (2018), pg 235

Mar

O/C of the anti-Treaty Dublin Brigade, Frank Henderson, is captured.

Dorney (2017), pg 244

Mar-10

A young anti-Treaty volunteer, Thomas Greehy from Lismore, Co. Waterford, is killed by a mine explosion at Kilwatermoy near Tallow.

McCarthy (2015), pg 119

Mar-10

Anti-Treaty volunteers attempt to raid the house of James Buggy in Ballyouskill, near Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny.  However, when he refuses to open the door, they shoot into the house.  Buggy fires back killing a 19-year attacker called Thomas Mealey.  

Walsh (2018), pg 236

Mar-10

Pro-Treaty army moved into the gas works in Waterford City and evict the striking workers.  (See January 26th)  However, strike continues until August when the workers are defeated and have to return to work on management terms.

McCarthy (2015), pg 122

Mar-10

Pro-Treaty Captain Bernard Cannon is shot dead in Creeslough Barracks in Co. Donegal.  While there are unanswered questions about who carried out this killing, pro-Treaty officers assumed that anti-Treaty volunteers were responsible.  This led to the execution in Drumboe – see 14th March.

Ozseker (2019), pgs 191-192; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 225-227

Mar-11

The Freeman’s Journal reports that the Cleeve creamery at Pallasgreen,  Co Limerick was destroyed by fire.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 127

Mar-11

A captured anti-Treaty army man (Frank Grady) is shot dead by Captain Michael ‘Tiny’ Lyons at Mountain Stage (between Behaghs and Killorglin, Co. Kerry) before, it is claimed, numerous witnesses.

On the same day, anti-Treaty man, Tim Keating, died of his wounds.  Doyle says that he might have been wounded at the Gurrane ‘encirclement’ on the 5th March..

Macardle (1998), pgs 33-35; Horgan (2018), pg 257; Doyle (2008), pg 277

Mar-11

Hugh Haughton is shot dead on Donore Avenue, Dublin.  It is suspected that he is shot by pro-Treaty Intelligence officers for carrying anti-Treaty literature.

Dorney (2017), pg 237

Mar-12

Five anti-Treaty prisoners (Daniel [O’]Shea, Mike Courtney, John Sugrue, Willie Riordain and Eugene Dwyer) who were being held in Behaghs Workhouse (near Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry) are taken out supposedly to clear mines but the mine explodes and they are all killed.  A report from the O/C of the anti-Treaty Kerry No. 3 Brigade states that they laid no mines in the area and none of their troops were in the area.  A military inquiry is set up by the pro-Treaty army under Paddy O’Daly, O/C Kerry Command, Col J McGuinness (Deputy O/C) and Michael Price but they deny that the killings were reprisals. 

However, pro-Treaty Lieutenant McCarthy, who was in charge of the Behaghs Workhouse, goes public and calls the perpetrators of the killings as a ‘murder gang’. 

To ensure that no one escaped this time (unlike Ballyseedy and Countess Bridge – See March 7th), the prisoners were shot in the legs before being placed on the mine.  Three of the bodies were unrecognisable after the explosion.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 241; Macardle (1998), pgs 39-44; Doyle (2008), pgs 278-279

Mar-12

Pro-Treaty soldier, Patrick McCormack, is accidently shot dead by a comrade in Cashel Hospital, Co. Tipperary. 

Walsh (2018), pg 237

Mar-13

Three anti-Treaty prisoners - John Creane (from Taughmon, Co. Wexford); James Parle (Clover Valley, Taughmon, Co. Wexford) and Patrick Hogan (William’s St., Wexford) - are executed in Wexford. 

Also William Healy (from Donaghmore, Co. Cork) is executed in Cork and James O’Rourke (1 Upper Gloucester St., Dublin) is executed in Dublin for his part in an attack on pro-Treaty soldiers in Dame St on 21st February.

O'Farrell P (1997), pgs 222 & 223 & 224; Macardle (1999), pg 985; Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-13

An anti-Treaty prisoner, John Walsh from Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford, get a gunshot wound in a fight with a pro-Treaty soldier in Kilkenny Jail and dies the following day.  McCarthy says that he died after being badly beaten and shot.

Walsh (2018), pg 237; McCarthy (2015), pg 111

May-13

Two pro-Treaty soldiers, Captain Michael Cleary and Lieutenant Alfred Glynn, are experimenting with throwing grenades into the river Neale near Listowel, Co. Kerry.  It goes wrong and leads to both of their deaths.

Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-14

Anti-Treatyites Luke Burke (from Keady, Co. Armagh) and Michael Greery (Athenry, Co. Galway) are executed in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.  (These are not listed by Macardle and so are not numbered among her 77.  O’Farrell does say that Burke and Greery were executed for a bank robbery in Oldcastle so the question arises as to whether this robbery was sanctioned. Grant says that Burke was a civilian and that he had lived for a time in Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry where he had been involved with the IRA.)

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 222 & 146 & 161; Grant (2018), pg 139

Mar-14

Four anti-Treaty prisoners are executed at Drumboe, near Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Co. Donegal.  They are Charles Daly (from Knockaneacouree, Firies, Co Kerry); Daniel Enright (from Listowel, Co. Kerry); Timothy O’Sullivan (from William’s St., Listowel, Co. Kerry) and Sean Larkin (from Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry). 

A strong campaign had been mounted by his old south Derry comrades who had joined the pro-Treaty army (such as Dan McKenna and Johnny Haughey) to get a reprieve for Sean Larkin and it was claimed that a last minute message from Richard Mulcahy was improperly relayed.  Joseph Sweeney, head of the pro-Treaty forces in Donegal, is reported to have later said that Larkin was shot by mistake. 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 222 & 223; Macardle (1999), pg 985; Grant (2018), pg 139; Ozseker (2019), pg 192; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 227-229

Mar-14

In response to the renewal of executions, Liam Lynch issues an ‘Amusement Order’ stating “that a time of national mourning be proclaimed, all sport and amusement be suspended, all picture houses and theatres and other places of public amusement be closed  … Anyone refusing this order will be treated as an enemy of the Republic.”

Dorney (2017), pg 247

Mar-14

An anti-Treaty intelligence report says that Oriel House (HQ of the CID) is “receiving dozens of anonymous letters giving information on out troops, meetings, dumps, etc., most is unfortunately correct”

Dorney (2017), pgs 240-241

Mar-14

Pro-Treaty soldier, Private Donal McGuiness is shot dead while on sentry duty outside Mountjoy Prison and Private Henry Kavanagh is killed outside Portobello Barracks.

Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-15

An anti-Treaty captain (John Kevins) is killed while in captivity in controversial circumstances at Carrinahone near Beaufort, Co. Kerry.

Macardle (1998), pg 35-39; Doyle (2008), pg 278

Mid-Mar

Extensive round-up in Newport area in Co. Mayo by pro-Treaty army.  Joe Baker’s anti-Treaty column is captured

 

Mar-15

Pro-Treaty Private Nolan of the Railway Maintenance Corps is shot dead while off-duty outside Wellington (Griffith) Barracks in Dublin

Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-15

A pro-Treaty patrol in the Windgap area of Co. Kilkenny is ambushed at Coolhill.  A young pro-Treaty soldier, Michael Brown, is killed.

Walsh (2018), pg 238

Mar-15

An anti-Treaty prisoner, Captain Nicholas Corcoran, is shot dead at close range near Ballina, Co Mayo.  It emerged at a subsequent court case in November, at which pro-Treaty Sergeant Daniel Boyle was accused of Corcoran’s murder, that Corcoran was one of four prisoners brought to a railway track near Ballina and ordered to clear a suspected mine.  When the prisoners refused, Sergeant Boyle said that he intended to scare the prisoners by pointing a rifle at Corcoran and pretending to shoot him by pulling the trigger not realising that there was a bullet in the breech.  Sergeant Boyle was found not guilty.

Price (2012), pgs 257-258

Mar-15

Anti-Treaty Volunteer Stenson of Charlestown, Co. Mayo shot dead by pro-Treaty forces.

Price (2012), pg 259

Mar-15

Pro-Treaty Private Hayes is accidently killed by one of his colleague at Newtown Sandes in Co. Kerry.

Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-16

A CID man (22-year old Patrick Kelly) is killed and another is wounded when anti-Treaty volunteers detonate a bomb outside the Customs and Excise Office on Beresford Place in Dublin.

Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-17

Austen Chamberlain says that “No citizens of Britain would grudge the use of British credit to assist the Irish Government to discharge its obligations”

Macardle (1999), pg 837

Mar-17

Despite Lynch’s ‘Amusement Order’ (see March 14th), a world heavyweight boxing match between Mike McTigue and Louis Mbarick Fall goes ahead in La Scala Theatre, Princes St, Dublin.  Anti-Treaty volunteers try to disrupt the fight but a heavy security presence prevents them. 

A pro-Treaty soldier, Private John Little, is accidently shot in Collins (Royal) Barracks and Colonel McDonnell, O/C of the pro-Treaty Dublin Brigade is seriously wounded by his own troops at Kingsbridge.  Frank Bolster, pro-Treaty army Intelligence Officer, is wounded at the Theatre Royal at Hawkins St, Dublin

Dorney (2017), pgs 247-248

Mar-17

An anti-Treaty man, James Donovan (said to be an ex-RIC man) dies of his wounds near the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks in Co. Kerry.

Doyle (2008), pg

Mar-17

Four anti-Treaty men, held in Drumboe Castle in Co. Donegal, who had been arrested with Charlie Daly on the 2nd November 1921 and sentenced to death but not executed on the 14th March, write a letter calling on their comrades not to engage in any further acts of violence “for such acts brought about the execution of Daly and comrades”.

Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 234-235

Mar-19

A young woman is removed from her home in Jerpoint near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny by anti-Treaty men.  They take her four miles away where they shorn her hair for “her association with a member of the National army”.

Walsh (2018), pg 283

Mar-20

An anti-Treaty man (Jeremiah Casey) is killed while in custody in Beaufort, Co. Kerry.

Doyle says that the killing of Casey, along with Kevins (on the 15th) and Donovan (on the 17th) might have been the work of members of Collins’s old Squad who were now part of the pro-Treaty forces in Kerry.

Macardle (1998), pg 39; Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-20

The Teehan family home at Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny was burnt by pro-Treaty soldiers after only given five minutes to leave.  Bill Quirke, O/C of the 2nd Southern Division of the anti-Treaty forces described the Teehan home as a “Field GHQ” and the night before it was burnt de Valera, Frank Aiken, Austin Stack and Tom Derrig had called to the house.  In retaliation, anti-Treaty men burnt the house, grocery and bakery of James Walsh of Templeorum, Piltown.  Walsh was an outspoken pro-Treaty county councillor.

Walsh (2018), pgs 229-230

Mar-20

Three prominent members of the anti-Treaty Kerry No. 1 Brigade (Tadgh Brosnan, Michael Duhig and Dan Rohan) are captured in a dug-out near Castlegregory, Co. Kerry.  According to the pro-Treaty army this completed “the capture of the principal ‘wanted men’ in west Kerry”. 

Horgan (2018), pg 90

Mar-22

Most of the anti-Treaty Dalkey column is arrested after being cornered in a safe house in Albert Road, Glenageary.  One volunteer, Michael Neary is killed and two other volunteers and one member of Cumman na mBan are wounded.  One pro-Treaty soldier, Corporal Michael Baker, is also killed and two wounded.

Dorney (2017), pg 253

Mar-23

Following what happened the previous day, the leader of the Dalkey Column, Paddy Darcy and two of his men surrender in an attempt to save the lives of two of the captured men.

Dorney (2017), pg 253

Mar-23

Three pro-Treaty soldiers – Lieutenant Thomas Jones, Sergeant Edward Gorman and Private Patrick Horan – are captured in Ballagh, Palace East, Co. Wexford by anti-Treaty volunteers.  Their bodies are found the following morning in the outhouse of a farm in the village of Adamstown.  It is thought that these killings were in retaliation for the executions of the three anti-Treaty prisoners on the 13th March.

Walsh (2018), pgs 238-239

Mar 23-26

Executive of anti-Treaty army meets in James Cullinane's, Bliantas, 3 miles east of Ballinamult, at the foot of the Monavullagh Mountains. (Macardle says it was Pierce Wall’s, Knocknaree, Ballymacarbery, Co. Waterford.) In attendance were Liam Lynch, Frank Aiken, Tom Derrig, Sean Dowling, Austin Stack, Tom Barry, Tom Crofts, Sean MacSwiney, Humphrey Murphy, Bill Quirke and Sean Hyde.  (Macardle gives the same list but says that neither Sean Hyde or PJ Ruttledge had made it from the West in time for the meeting.)  De Valera was also asked to attend but without voting rights. (They had to move to Glenanore on the 26th due to National Army activity in the area.)  Executive debated continuing struggle vs dumping arms but could not agree.  Immediate peace proposal defeated by six votes to five.  Decided to postpone until 10th April. (Doyle says that John Joe Rice, O/C Kerry No. 1 Brigade, was also in attendance.)

O'Donoghue (1986), pg 299; Hopkinson (1988), pg 237; Doyle (2008), pg 283-284

Mar-22

A firefight took place at the newly established pro-Treaty army post near Blessington, Co Dublin in which it is claimed a pro-Treaty soldier is killed. 

Dorney (2017), pg 317

Mar-23

The body of anti-Treaty Volunteer, Thomas O’Leary, is found outside Tranquilla Convent, Upper Rathmines, Dublin with at least 14 bullet wounds.  He had been seen by witnesses being arrested by soldiers in uniform but the pro-Treaty army denied having any record of his arrest.

Dorney (2017), pgs 249-250

Mar-24

An anti-Treaty IRA man (Bob McCarthy from Monaree) is captured and brought to Dingle Workhouse.  Shortly afterwards he is brought to Tralee and shot dead on the way. 

Macardle (1998), pgs49-50; Doyle (2008), pg 284

Mar-24

Anti-Treaty volunteer, Patrick O’Brien, is shot dead while trying to lay a bomb at the Carlton Cinema on O’Connell St., Dublin.  An anti-Treaty volunteer, William Walsh from the Coombe, is badly wounded during an ambush at Whitehall, Dublin of a pro-Treaty troop lorry.  He presents himself to the Mater Hospital but dies that night.

Dorney (2017), pgs 249 & 252

Mar-25

Ned Bolfin and many of his anti-Treaty column (including his brother Paul) are captured in the Arigna mountains.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 244; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 144; Farry (2012), pg 106

Mar-27

In a memo to cabinet, O’Higgins argues that it was wrong for Mulcahy to be both Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief.  (Part of O’Higgins’s ongoing criticism of the performance of the pro-Treaty army.)  Hugh Kennedy, the Attorney General, argued for the Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief being the same person at this point.

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 223-224

Mar-27

The Executive Council of the Free State Government decide to set up a Supreme War Council (or Council of Defence).  This Council had a civilian majority and was ‘to exercise a general supervision and direction over strategy’.  It also had the power to enquire into the administration of any military department, and had a veto over all military appointments.  Members of Council were Cosgrave; O’Higgins (Minister of Home Affairs); Joe McGrath (Minister for Industry and Commerce) and Richard Mulcahy (Minister of Defence).  In the debate over its setting-up, O’Higgins says ‘I believe that the present Head Quarters staff has not given to the people the result which they are entitled to’. Mulcahy and the other members of the Army Council tender their resignations but they are not accepted – see March 28th. Dorney indicates that it is part of O’Higgins’ on-going efforts to rein in Mulcahy’s power.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 226; Valiulis (1985), pg 30; Dorney (2017), pg 238-239

Mar-27

An anti-Treaty prisoner (James Walsh from Currow) is shot dead while being moved from Castleisland, Co. Kerry. (Doyle says that he was killed during an exchange of fire between a pro-Treaty army patrol and three anti-Treaty men.) 

Macardle (1998), pg 51; Doyle (2008), pg 284

Mar-28

Mulcahy writes to Cosgrave resigning from the Army Council because of the implications of the setting up of the Council of Defence.  Rest of Army Council (Chief-of-Staff Sean MacMahon; Adj-Gen Gearoid O’Sullivan and QM-Gen Sean O’Murthuile) also submits resignation. Cosgrave persuades Mulcahy to withdraw his resignation and on 9th April orders the Army Council to carry on with its duties.  However, the Council of Defence goes ahead.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 227; Valiulis (1985), pg 29

Mar-28

An anti-Treaty army man (Jack Fleming from Tralee) is captured and brought to Ballymullen Barracks in Tralee, Co. Kerry.  During the night, he is brought to the prison a short distance away and killed. (Doyle says 29th.)

Macardle (1998), pgs 51-52; Doyle (2008), pg 184

Mar-28

Anti-Treaty volunteers (Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle’s column) ambush pro-Treaty troops at Valleymount, Co. Wicklow in which pro-Treaty soldier, Private John Pender (from Derryoughta, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare) is killed and another pro-Treaty soldier is badly wounded. 

Dorney (2017), pg 317;

Durney (2011), pg 156

Mar-29

Acting O/C of the 4th Battalion, Bobby Bonfield, of the anti-Treaty Dublin Brigade is arrested on St Stephens Green, Dublin by members of the Protective Corps, including Joe O’Reilly.  He is taken to Clondalkin and shot dead. 

Dorney (2017), pg 250

Mar-29

A pro-Treaty army patrol on its way from Sneem to Kenmare in Co. Kerry is ambushed resulting in the deaths of Sergeant George Copeland and the wounding of three other pro-Treaty soldiers.

Doyle (2008), pgs 284-285

Mar-31

A pro-Treaty army report from Claremorris, Co. Mayo states “Despite their very considerable numbers, and ample equipment in Mayo, the Irregulars have not been inclined to indulge in military action.  Extensive destruction of roads, raiding, looting, and the burning of the houses of supporters of the Government is the form their warfare continues to take.”

Hopkinson (1988), pg 242

Mar-31

Education Bill in Northern Ireland rejected by Ulster RC bishops.

Phoenix (1994), pg 282

Mar-31

The two northern divisions of the pro-Treaty IRA are formally disbanded.  (Up until this date, GHQ of the pro-Treaty army had continued to pay the divisional staff.)  Most of the approximately 300 northern IRA men in the Curragh had joined the pro-Treaty army.

Phoenix (1994), pg 259

Mar-31

The Kilkenny People report the Free State’s projected revenue and expenditure for the year.  Expenditure was estimated to be £42 million (£10.8m on compensation; £10.6m on the army) and estimated revenue was £26 million.  This left a large deficit.

Walsh (2018), pgs 234-235

Mar

The pro-Treaty Supreme Council (see March 27th) set up the Special Infantry Corps with a brief to re-establish order in the countryside, reverse land seizures and break strikes.  (In his online article on the Special Infantry Corps, Dorney says that it was set up in January.  For Dorney’s article, see Here.)

Dorney (2017), pg 233; Hopkinson (1988), pg 227

 

 

 

Mar

Ex-Squad member, Frank Teeling (veteran of Bloody Sunday and break out of Kilmainham Goal) shoots dead CDF officer, Richard Johnson at the Theatre Royal in Dublin in a drunken brawl.  Teeling serves 18 months for the killing.

Dorney (2017), pgs 262-262

 

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