Dáil Debate on Executions
Introduction from Chronology
In the Dáil, George Gavan Duffy launches a strong attack on the
government in the Dáil over the execution of Childers and the other
executions. In this, he is supported by Dr Patrick McCartan. The
policy of executions is defended by O’Higgins and Mac Neill.
Comment
In discussing the policy of
executions, Curran says that “It mattered very much that [Childers] refused to
allow the people to decide their own political future” and he goes on to say
“Whatever criticism may be made of the executions, they achieved their
end.” The latter may be taken as the
standard statement of the justification of the execution policy by the
pro-Treaty side.