DOCSLIB.ORG

The Government's Executions Policy During the Irish Civil

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Government's Executions Policy During the Irish Civil THE GOVERNMENT’S EXECUTIONS POLICY DURING THE IRISH CIVIL WAR 1922 – 1923 by Breen Timothy Murphy, B.A. THESIS FOR THE DEGREE OF PH.D. DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND MAYNOOTH HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Professor Marian Lyons Supervisor of Research: Dr. Ian Speller October 2010 i DEDICATION To my Grandparents, John and Teresa Blake. ii CONTENTS Page No. Title page i Dedication ii Contents iii Acknowledgements iv List of Abbreviations vi Introduction 1 Chapter 1: The ‗greatest calamity that could befall a country‘ 23 Chapter 2: Emergency Powers: The 1922 Public Safety Resolution 62 Chapter 3: A ‗Damned Englishman‘: The execution of Erskine Childers 95 Chapter 4: ‗Terror Meets Terror‘: Assassination and Executions 126 Chapter 5: ‗executions in every County‘: The decentralisation of public safety 163 Chapter 6: ‗The serious situation which the Executions have created‘ 202 Chapter 7: ‗Extraordinary Graveyard Scenes‘: The 1924 reinterments 244 Conclusion 278 Appendices 299 Bibliography 323 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to extend my most sincere thanks to many people who provided much needed encouragement during the writing of this thesis, and to those who helped me in my research and in the preparation of this study. In particular, I am indebted to my supervisor Dr. Ian Speller who guided me and made many welcome suggestions which led to a better presentation and a more disciplined approach. I would also like to offer my appreciation to Professor R. V. Comerford, former Head of the History Department at NUI Maynooth, for providing essential advice and direction. Furthermore, I would like to thank Professor Colm Lennon, Professor Jacqueline Hill and Professor Marian Lyons, Head of the History Department at NUI Maynooth, for offering their time and help. I would like to thank the staff in the following institutions as they deserve special mention for their courteous assistance: the History Department at NUI Maynooth; the Manuscripts Department in the National Library of Ireland; the Manuscripts Department in Trinity College, Dublin; the Archives Department in University College, Dublin; the National Archives, Dublin and the Military Archives located in Cathal Brugha barracks, Dublin. To all my friends, both past and present, I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude. Without their camaraderie this study would not exist. In particular, I would like to mention Nicholas Hetherington. His continuous encouragement and sound advice has been much appreciated. Special thanks are also due to Niamh Lynch for her endless supply of support and friendship iv over the years. I would also like to offer my appreciation to both Tony Boland and Mario Corrigan for their kindness and generous assistance during the preparation of this work. Finally, my deepest gratitude is reserved for my family. This thesis would not have been possible without their loving support, both emotionally and financially, and encouragement over the years. v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Adjt. Gen. Adjutant General A.S.U. Active Service Unit A.T. Anti-treaty Capt. Captain C-in-C. Commander-in-Chief C.I.D. Criminal Investigation Department Cmdt. Commandant C na nG Cumann na nGaedheal Col. Colonel C.O.S. Chief of Staff D.M.P. Dublin Metropolitan Police E.J.E. Extrajudicial execution F.S. Free State Government G.H.Q. General Headquarters G.O.C. General Officer Commanding Inst. Instant I.P.P. Irish Parliamentary Party I.R.A. Irish Republican Army I.R.B. Irish Republican Brotherhood M.A. Military Archives, Ireland M.O. Medical Officer M.R. Master of the Rolls vi N.A.I. National Archives, Ireland N.I.R.A. Neutral Irish Republican Army N.L.I. National Library of Ireland N.U.I.M. National University of Ireland, Maynooth O.I.R.A. Old Irish Republican Army O.C. Officer Commanding P.G. Provisional Government P.R. Proportional Representation P.T. Pro-treaty R.I.C. Royal Irish Constabulary ROIA Restoration of Order in Ireland Act Supt. Superintendant T.C.D. Trinity College, Dublin T.D. Teachta Dáila T.N.A. The U.K. National Archives, Kew U.C.D. University College, Dublin vii INTRODUCTION This thesis examines the executions policy undertaken by the pro-treatyite Provisional/Free State Government during the Irish Civil War (1922–23). Following the Irish War of Independence (1919–21) and subsequent Anglo-Irish Treaty Ireland‘s previously united nationalist movement fractured into opposing factions. The ensuing Civil War, fought between the Government and the anti-treatyite militants, known as the Irregulars, played an integral role in the development of the modern Irish State. Remarkably, this conflict has been marginalised in Irish revolutionary historiography. Similarly, the significance of the Government‘s official executions policy during the conflict has been further neglected and consigned to a footnote in existing works on the Civil War. Yet the execution of eighty-one fellow Irishmen and former comrades by the first independent Irish Government became one of the defining characteristics of the War. The proposition which underpins this study is that this executions policy had a significant impact on the dynamic of the Civil War, making it a far more ruthless and divisive affair. Moreover, it left an enduring legacy of bitterness in post-war Ireland, one which is still to be completely surmounted. In essence, this thesis presents an in-depth analysis of the effect of the executions policy on the character, course and outcome of the Irish Civil War. In evaluating the policy several questions need to be considered. For instance, what compelled the pro-treatyites to employ official executions during the Civil War? How did the Government implement the policy during the conflict? Conversely, how did the Irregulars respond to the executions? Finally did the policy, which was devised to hasten the end of the Civil War, achieve its primary objective? 1 An understanding of the tactics employed by Irregulars, in their attempt to thwart the Government and National Army, is crucial when ascertaining why the executions policy was adopted. The Irish Civil War, caused primarily by differences over the Anglo-Irish Treaty, began on 28 June 1922. The pro-treatyite political and military leadership included Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins, Richard Mulcahy, Kevin O‘Higgins and W. T. Cosgrave. Conversely, the anti- treatyite political and military hierarchy consisted of Eamon de Valera, Cathal Brugha, Liam Lynch, Liam Deasy, and Rory O‘Connor. Following the collapse of the Irregulars‘ conventional resistance in both Dublin and Munster, by late July/early August, guerrilla warfare became their modus operandi. They subsequently dissolved into the countryside and broke up into smaller, more mobile, groups known as active service units or A.S.U.s and engaged in ambushes, sniping and armed raids. Moreover, the Irregulars focused on the country‘s infrastructure in an attempt to devastate commerce and cripple the Government financially. The Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, Michael Collins, had refused to adopt emergency measures to restore order. As will be demonstrated, his death, in a guerrilla ambush on 22 August, ushered in the Public Safety Resolution. This decree, which facilitated the Government‘s executions policy, will be examined in detail. Sanctioned on 28 September 1922, it was hoped that the resolution would halt the Irregulars‘ guerrilla campaign and end the Civil War. Following the ratification of the emergency resolution the Government, as will be established, altered the implementation of this decree as circumstances dictated. Initially it restricted the application of the executions policy to Dublin, executing a total of twelve men in ten weeks. The inaugural executions, which involved putting to death four low-ranked Irregulars on 17 November 1922, were surrounded by controversy. Critics maintained that this event was a test case to facilitate the execution of a more prominent anti-treatyite, Erskine Childers, one 2 week later. It was also claimed that both the Provisional Government and the British Government had a vendetta against Childers which ensured his capture, conviction and death regardless of crimes committed. These conspiratorial allegations, in addition to the initial executions themselves, will be studied and assessed. The Irregulars, in response to the executions policy, assassinated Seán Hales T.D. and seriously injured Deputy Pádraic Ó Maille on 7 December 1922. This event shocked the pro- treatyites. As will be demonstrated, the Government subsequently decided to alter radically the implementation of the executions policy. This affair, like the death of Collins before it, proved a turning point for the pro-treatyites. Firstly, four untried Irregular prisoners were put to death, on 8 December, in Mountjoy Jail in an event which was clearly outside the remit of the September resolution. In the long-term, however, the Government decentralised and accelerated its application of the emergency measures. Following the executions in early December the Government executed another seven men at once in Kildare on 19 December. These were the first to occur outside of the capital and it was the largest individual set of executions during the Civil War. Moreover, another sixty-nine men were executed by the end of the conflict. Sixty- three of these occurred outside Dublin; four were civilians executed for armed robbery. Thirty- four men were put to death in January alone. The Government also adopted an official hostage policy whereby several convicted prisoners, sentenced to death, received a stay of execution pending the improvement of order in their respective localities. This scheme proved successful and contributed to the pro-treatyites victory in May 1923. The official executions formed a central part of the Government‘s prosecution of the Civil War. Evidence suggests that this policy achieved its primary objective and expedited the end of the conflict. Moreover, it altered irrevocably the landscape of the Civil War turning what 3 was an already fractious affair into an extremely acrimonious conflict and it imbued an enduring legacy of hostility in post-war Ireland.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Dún Na Ngall 1919 -1925 from Conflict to Division
    FROM CONFLICT TO DIVISION - DONEGAL 1919-1925 DIVISION - DONEGAL TO FROM CONFLICT FROM CONFLICT TO DIVISION DONEGAL 1919-1925 DÚN NA NGALL 1919-1925 NGALL NA DÚN Ó CHOIMHLINT GO DEIGHILT DEIGHILT GO CHOIMHLINT Ó Ó CHOIMHLINT GO DEIGHILT DÚN NA NGALL 1919-1925 Ó CHOIMHLINT GO DEIGHILT County Museum County Réamhrá Donegal Dhún na nGall na Dhún Músaem Chontae Chontae Músaem B’fhéidir go bhfuil an tréimhse 1912 – 1923 ar na tréimhsí is tábhachtaí i stair na hÉireann. Rinne na heachtraí a tharla le linn na mblianta sin athrú ó bhonn ar oileán na hÉireann agus d’fhág siad lorg buan ar pholaitíocht agus ar shochaí na hÉireann suas go dtí an lá inniu. under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 Initiative. 2012-2023 Centenaries of Decade the under Sna blianta roimh an Chéad Chogadh Domhanda tháinig méadú ar an Media and Sport Gaeltacht, Arts, Culture, Tourism, of Department the by supported was booklet This Culture Division, Donegal County Council. County Donegal Division, Culture teannas idir an dream a bhí ag iarraidh fanacht san Aontas agus an dream Museum, County Donegal McCarthy, Judith and Carr Caroline by edited and written was booklet This a bhí ag iarraidh níos mó neamhspleáchais d’Éirinn. Bunaíodh dhá fhórsa a bhí in éadan a chéile – Óglaigh Uladh agus Óglaigh na hÉireann – agus bhí céim tugtha i dtreo cogadh cathartha in Éirinn. Le tús an chogaidh War. Civil the and Independence of War the to lead ultimately would cuireadh moill ar choimhlint ar bith a d’fhéadfadh tarlú ach ní raibh na which set being was path new A Westminster.
    [Show full text]
  • 80308-7 POSTER N21 Ballycarty
    N21 BALLYCARTY TO TRALEE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, County Kerry archaeological © Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland permit number 8067. DISCOVERIES 1. background the townlands of Ballingowan, Ballycarty, Ballyseedy, Caherbreagh, Curraghleha East and Manor East.These are The scheme, which was officially opened on the located in the parishes of Ballymacelligott, Ballyseedy and Ratass and are in the area of the Lee Valley. 15th April, 2005, marks the completion of the link The general Tralee area and the Lee Valley have attracted human populations for over four millennia. A detailed survey of the Lee Valley was undertaken by Michael Connolly, Kerry County Archaeologist, who also excavated a between Tralee and Castleisland, County Kerry. passage tomb in the townland of Ballycarty in 1996.The study identified 98 previously unrecorded sites. The scheme was 3km in length and the archaeological works were carried out on behalf of the National Roads The early medieval period is also well represented in the Lee Valley by a large amount of ringforts.The site of Authority and Kerry County Council.The N21 Ballycarty to Tralee Road Improvement Scheme extends through Ballingowan Castle (Record of Monuments & Places No. KE029-162) is located c. 200m north of the road. 2. archaeological investigations A series of archaeological test trenches were In early 2004, the remains of a 19th-century corn mill Archaeological investigations excavated to identify the presence or absence of were uncovered in the townland of Ballyseedy. The archaeological material.The archaeological works location of the mill was known from cartographic were carried out in advance were also undertaken to obtain further information evidence as well as other sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Identity, Authority and Myth-Making: Politically-Motivated Prisoners and the Use of Music During the Northern Irish Conflict, 1962 - 2000
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Queen Mary Research Online Identity, authority and myth-making: Politically-motivated prisoners and the use of music during the Northern Irish conflict, 1962 - 2000 Claire Alexandra Green Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 1 I, Claire Alexandra Green, confirm that the research included within this thesis is my own work or that where it has been carried out in collaboration with, or supported by others, that this is duly acknowledged below and my contribution indicated. Previously published material is also acknowledged below. I attest that I have exercised reasonable care to ensure that the work is original, and does not to the best of my knowledge break any UK law, infringe any third party’s copyright or other Intellectual Property Right, or contain any confidential material. I accept that the College has the right to use plagiarism detection software to check the electronic version of the thesis. I confirm that this thesis has not been previously submitted for the award of a degree by this or any other university. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author and no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author. Signature: Date: 29/04/19 Details of collaboration and publications: ‘It’s All Over: Romantic Relationships, Endurance and Loyalty in the Songs of Northern Irish Politically-Motivated Prisoners’, Estudios Irlandeses, 14, 70-82. 2 Abstract. In this study I examine the use of music by and in relation to politically-motivated prisoners in Northern Ireland, from the mid-1960s until 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Thatcher, Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish Relations, 1979-1990
    From ‘as British as Finchley’ to ‘no selfish strategic interest’: Thatcher, Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish Relations, 1979-1990 Fiona Diane McKelvey, BA (Hons), MRes Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences of Ulster University A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Ulster University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2018 I confirm that the word count of this thesis is less than 100,000 words excluding the title page, contents, acknowledgements, summary or abstract, abbreviations, footnotes, diagrams, maps, illustrations, tables, appendices, and references or bibliography Contents Acknowledgements i Abstract ii Abbreviations iii List of Tables v Introduction An Unrequited Love Affair? Unionism and Conservatism, 1885-1979 1 Research Questions, Contribution to Knowledge, Research Methods, Methodology and Structure of Thesis 1 Playing the Orange Card: Westminster and the Home Rule Crises, 1885-1921 10 The Realm of ‘old unhappy far-off things and battles long ago’: Ulster Unionists at Westminster after 1921 18 ‘For God's sake bring me a large Scotch. What a bloody awful country’: 1950-1974 22 Thatcher on the Road to Number Ten, 1975-1979 26 Conclusion 28 Chapter 1 Jack Lynch, Charles J. Haughey and Margaret Thatcher, 1979-1981 31 'Rise and Follow Charlie': Haughey's Journey from the Backbenches to the Taoiseach's Office 34 The Atkins Talks 40 Haughey’s Search for the ‘glittering prize’ 45 The Haughey-Thatcher Meetings 49 Conclusion 65 Chapter 2 Crisis in Ireland: The Hunger Strikes, 1980-1981
    [Show full text]
  • Military Archives Cathal Brugha Bks Rathmines Dublin 6 ROINN
    Military Archives Cathal Brugha BKs Rathmines Dublin 6 ROINN C0SANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21. STATEMENT BY WITNESS DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 316 Witness Mr. Peter Folan, 134 North Circular Road, Dublin. Identity Head Constable 1913 - 1921. R.I.C. Aided Irish Volunteers and I.R.A. by secret information. Subject (a) Duties as reporter of Irish meetings; (b) Dublin Castle Easter Week 1916 and events from that date to 1921.miscellaneous Conditions, if any, stipulated by Witness Nil File No. S.1431 Form Military Archives Cathal Brugha BKs Rathmines Dublin 6 STATEMENT BY PETER FOLAN (Peadar Mac Fhualáin) Bhothar Thuaidh, 134 Chuar Blá Cliath. I reported several meetings throughout the country. I was always chosen to attend meetings which were likely to be addressed by Irish speakers. Previously, that is from 1908 Onwards, I attended meetings that were addressed by Séamus ó Muilleagha, who was from East Galway and used to travel from County to County as Organiser of the Gaelic League. I was a shorthand reporter and gave verbatim reports of all speakers. Sèamus, in addition to advocating the cause of the language, advised the people that it was a scandal to have large ranches in the possession of one man while there were numbers of poor men without land. He advocated the driving of the cattle off the land. Some time after the meetings large cattle drives took place in the vicinity, the cattle being hunted in all directions. When he went to County Mayo I was sent there and followed him everywhere he announced a meeting.
    [Show full text]
  • WODEHOUSE, Brigadier Edmond
    2020 www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk Author: Robert PALMER, M.A. A CONCISE BIOGRAPHY OF: BRIGADIER E. WODEHOUSE A short biography of Brigadier E. WODEHOUSE, C.B.E., who served in the British Army between 1913 and 1949. He served in the First World War, being wounded and taken prisoner. During the war, WODEHOUSE served with his Regiment rising to command a Battalion. During the Second World War, he became the Military Attaché to Eire, a sensitive role during ‘The Emergency’. Copyright ©www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk (2020) 16 October 2020 [BRIGADIER E. WODEHOUSE] A Concise Biography of Brigadier E. WODEHOUSE. Version: 3_2 This edition dated: 16 October 2020 ISBN: Not yet allocated. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means including; electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, scanning without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Author: Robert PALMER, M.A. (copyright held by author) Assisted by: Stephen HEAL Published privately by: The Author – Publishing as: www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk 1 16 October 2020 [BRIGADIER E. WODEHOUSE] Contents Pages Introduction 3 Early Life 3 First World War 4 – 5 Second World War 5 – 8 Republic of Ireland (Eire) 8 – 13 Military Attaché in Ireland 13 – 16 Retirement and Death 16 – 17 Bibliography and Sources 18 2 16 October 2020 [BRIGADIER E. WODEHOUSE] Brigadier Edmond WODEHOUSE, C.B.E. Introduction Not all Army officers can enjoy careers that leave a legacy which is well known to the public or historians. The majority will lead satisfying, and in their own way, important careers, but these will remain unknown to all but their families and a few historians.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Make the Terror Behind Greater Than the Terror in Front'? Internal
    Irish Historical Studies (2018), 00 (0), 1–23. © Irish Historical Studies Publications Ltd 2018 doi:10.1017/ihs.2018.3 ‘Make the terror behind greater than the terror 1 in front’? Internal discipline, forced 2 participation, and the I.R.A., 1919–21 3 Q1 BRIAN HUGHES* 4 Q2 ABSTRACT. This article will explore two relatively neglected features of the Irish Republican 5 Army’s (I.R.A.) guerrilla war between 1919 and 1921: internal discipline and forced 6 participation. The gravest disciplinary measure was the death penalty and I.R.A. orders directed 7 that it should apply to members guilty of certain offences against the army. While British army 8 and police officials often insisted that the I.R.A. executed its own without scruple, the death 9 penalty was rarely carried out in practice. General Headquarters (G.H.Q.) was largely 10 unsuccessful in applying a standard disciplinary code and there was also a general inconsistency 11 and lack of rigour in applying other punitive measures for less serious offences. On a related 12 theme, it was not uncommon for soldiers to be ‘conscripted’ or forced to take part in operations 13 under duress during irregular warfare. In the Irish case, this idea has rarely been discussed. It will 14 be argued here that, along with the death penalty and strict punitive measures, forced 15 participation was an uncomfortable idea and often counter-productive in practice. The nature and 16 extent of discipline and coercion was also firmly dictated by local conditions and personalities. 17 18 n March 1921 Patrick Larmer and Francis McPhillips were found shot dead 19 Iin Aghabog, County Monaghan, executed by the Monaghan Brigade of the 20 1 Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.).
    [Show full text]
  • BMH.WS1721.Pdf
    ROINN COSANTA BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 STATEMENT BY WITNESS. DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 1721. Witness Seumas Robinson 18 Highfield Foad, Rathgar, Dublin. Identity. O/C. South Tipperary Brigade. O/C. 2nd Southern Division, I.R.A. Member of Volunteer Executive. Member of Bureau of Military History. Subject. Irish Volunteer activities, Dublin, 1916. I.R.A.activities, Tipperary, 1917-1921 Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness. Nil. File No S.132. Form BSM2 SEUMASROBINSON. 1902. Joined the first Fianna (Red Branch Knights); founded by Bulmer Hobson in 1902, Belfast. 1902. Joined "Oscar" junior hurling club, Belfast. 1903. Joined Gaelic League, Glasgow. 1913. December. Joined the Irish Volunteers, (Glasgow. 1916. January. Attached to Kimmage Garrison. 1916. Easter Week. Stationed i/c. at Hopkins & Hopkins, O'Connell Street (Bride). 1916. May. Interned Richmond Barracks (one week), Stafford Gaol, Frongoch, Reading Gaol. Released Christmas Day, 1916. 1917. February. Assisted in reorganising the Volunteers in Tipperary. l9l8. October, Elected Brigadier, South Tipperary Brigade. 1920. Elected T.D. to Second Dáil, East Tipperary and Waterford. 1921. November December. Appointed O/C., 2nd Southern Division, I.R.A., in succession to E. O'Malley. 1922. Elected Member of Volunteer Executive. l928. Elected Senator. 1935. January. Appointed Member of M.S.P. Board. l949. Appointed Member, Bureau of Military History. 1953. (?) Appointed Member of Military Registration Board. STATEMENTBY Mr. SEUMASROBINSON, 18, Highfield Road, Rathgar, Dublin. - Introduction - "A SOLDIER OF IRELAND" REFLECTS. Somewhere deep in the camera (or is it the anti-camera) of my cerebrum (or is it my cerebellum"), whose loci, by the way, are the frontal lobes of the cranium of this and every other specimen of homo-sapiens - there lurks furtively and nebulously, nevertheless positively, a thing, a something, a conception (deception'), a perception, an inception, that the following agglomeration of reminiscences will be "my last Will and Testament".
    [Show full text]
  • The War of Independence in County Kilkenny: Conflict, Politics and People
    The War of Independence in County Kilkenny: Conflict, Politics and People Eoin Swithin Walsh B.A. University College Dublin College of Arts and Celtic Studies This dissertation is submitted in part fulfilment of the Master of Arts in History July 2015 Head of School: Dr Tadhg Ó hAnnracháin Supervisor of Research: Professor Diarmaid Ferriter P a g e | 2 Abstract The array of publications relating to the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) has, generally speaking, neglected the contributions of less active counties. As a consequence, the histories of these counties regarding this important period have sometimes been forgotten. With the recent introduction of new source material, it is now an opportune time to explore the contributions of the less active counties, to present a more layered view of this important period of Irish history. County Kilkenny is one such example of these overlooked counties, a circumstance this dissertation seeks to rectify. To gain a sense of the contemporary perspective, the first two decades of the twentieth century in Kilkenny will be investigated. Significant events that occurred in the county during the period, including the Royal Visit of 1904 and the 1917 Kilkenny City By-Election, will be examined. Kilkenny’s IRA Military campaign during the War of Independence will be inspected in detail, highlighting the major confrontations with Crown Forces, while also appraising the corresponding successes and failures throughout the county. The Kilkenny Republican efforts to instigate a ‘counter-state’ to subvert British Government authority will be analysed. In the political sphere, this will focus on the role of Local Government, while the administration of the Republican Courts and the Republican Police Force will also be examined.
    [Show full text]
  • Officers of the Irish Defence Forces and Civilian Higher Education Since the 1960S
    Socialisation, Role Theory, and Infrapolitics: Officers of the Irish Defence Forces and Civilian Higher Education since the 1960s Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy Trinity College Dublin November, 2020 Andrew Gerard Gibson Supervisor: Dr John Walsh Title: Socialisation, Role theory, and Infrapolitics: Officers of the Irish Defence Forces and Civilian Higher Education since the 1960s. Author: Andrew Gerard Gibson Abstract: The military profession has a long history, and its institutions of education have been central to the development of military officers. Questions about the higher education of officers became increasingly important in the wake of World War 2 and the changing nature of military authority and the roles that military officers would be expected to fill. In Ireland these changes became manifest in the advent of the decision in 1969 to send Army officers to university in University College Galway. Combining documentary and archival research with data generated through semi-structured interviews with 46 retired and serving officers, it adopts a conceptual frameworK of role theory combined with ideas from James C. Scott in a case study approach to examine the origins and effects of the USAC scheme for the civilian higher education of Irish military officers since 1969. It answers the question of how officers in the Defence Forces interacted with civilian higher education at undergraduate level, and how this influenced their socialisation, professional formation, and the implications of higher education for them as individuals and for their military role. Declaration I declare that this thesis has not been submitted as an exercise for a degree at this or any other university and it is entirely my own work.
    [Show full text]
  • BMH.WS1079.Pdf
    ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, l913-21 STATEMENT BY WITNESS. DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 1,079 Witness Patrick P. Fitzgerald, Spa Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry. Identity. Captain Fenit Company Irish Volunteers, Co. Kerry; Brigade Staff Officer Kerry I Brigade. Subject. National activities Fenit-Tralee, Co. Kerry, 1913-1921. Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness. Nil File No. S.2394 Form BSM2 STATEMENT OF PATRICK PAUL FITZGERALD Spa Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry. I was born on 29th June 1896, in Tralee. I was sent to the local National School until I was 15 years of age. When I left school I was apprenticed to the bakery trade. On the formation of the Volunteers in Tralee in the latter end of 1913 or early 1914, I became a member. The drill instructorsat the time were John Roche and Ned Leen, both ex-British soldiers. In all, there were four companies in the town of Tralee, A, B, C and D. The total strength was about 400 men. We paraded and drilled with wooden rifles throughout the year 1914. After John Redmond's speech at Woodenbridge in Co. Wicklow calling on the Volunteers to join the British army to defend the shores of Ireland, there was a split in the local battalion. A, B and D companies were opposed to Redmond's policy, but C Company were in favour and broke away from the battalion and ceased to take any further part in the activities of the Volunteers. We continued our parades and drills during the year 1915. Among the members of the Battalion Council at this time were Austin Stack, P.J.Cahill, Dan Healy and Fr.
    [Show full text]
  • Robert John Lynch-24072009.Pdf
    THE NORTHERN IRA AND THE EARY YEARS OF PARTITION 1920-22 Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Stirling. ROBERT JOHN LYNCH DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY DECEMBER 2003 CONTENTS Abstract 2 Declaration 3 Acknowledgements 4 Abbreviations 5 Chronology 6 Maps 8 Introduction 11 PART I: THE WAR COMES NORTH 23 1 Finding the Fight 2 North and South 65 3 Belfast and the Truce 105 PART ll: OFFENSIVE 146 4 The Opening of the Border Campaign 167 5 The Crisis of Spring 1922 6 The Joint-IRA policy 204 PART ILL: DEFEAT 257 7 The Army of the North 8 New Policies, New Enemies 278 Conclusion 330 Bibliography 336 ABSTRACT The years i 920-22 constituted a period of unprecedented conflct and political change in Ireland. It began with the onset of the most brutal phase of the War of Independence and culminated in the effective miltary defeat of the Republican IRA in the Civil War. Occurring alongside these dramatic changes in the south and west of Ireland was a far more fundamental conflict in the north-east; a period of brutal sectarian violence which marked the early years of partition and the establishment of Northern Ireland. Almost uniquely the IRA in the six counties were involved in every one of these conflcts and yet it can be argued was on the fringes of all of them. The period i 920-22 saw the evolution of the organisation from a peripheral curiosity during the War of independence to an idealistic symbol for those wishing to resolve the fundamental divisions within the Sinn Fein movement which developed in the first six months of i 922.
    [Show full text]