TRIBUNE, 7th November, 2007 Exclusive Tribune Feature PAGE FIFTEEN The following exclusive Tribune feature on the Pearsons is partly based on two illustrated lectures Philip McConway gave this year. The first lecture on 15 January at the Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society (OHAS) in Tullamore was entitled ‘Spies, Informers, and Militant Loyalists: The Intelligence War in Offaly 1920-21.’ The article also contains material taken from a lecture he delivered to Birr Historical Society ‘The South Offaly No. 2 Brigade Irish Republican Army, 1920-21’ on 15 October. The recent RTÉ Hidden History documentary The Killings at Coolacrease referred to him as the author of the ‘The IRA in Offaly, 1920-21.’ This is inaccurate. This was the subject of an M.Phil thesis which will be published at a later date. In his contribution, which was heavily edited, he was also quoted as saying the Pearson women were present at the execution. This is not his position having reassessed all the available evidence some months ago. On 25 September he notified this position in writing to the director stating it was dubious the Pearson women witnessed the execution.

J.J. Horan arrested and Peter Lyons, Intelligence imprisoned in Tullamore Jail. John Dillon, a victim of the Officer, ‘D’ Drumcullen Michael McCormack, O/C. Michael Cordial wearing a He was later interned in the Pearson’s informing activities. Company. Peripheral involve- 3rd Southern Division (Offaly, Free State Army uniform Rath Camp, Curragh. The He was imprisoned in ment in the Pearson execu- Laois and North Tipperary). where he served with the rank Pearsons were widely believed Thomas Burke, GHQ organis- Tullamore Jail and later trans- tions supplying a rifle to the He was critical of the No. 2 of Lieutenant. He was the IRA to be responsible for his er and later O/C Offaly No. 2 ferred to the Rath Internment Active Service Unit (ASU) who Brigade’s poor sniping abili- 3rd Battalion’s (Kilcormac) William Pearson William Stanley arrest. Brigade IRA. Camp. acted as the firing squad. ties. quartermaster.

disgusting hypocrisy and profani- ThePART 1 Pearsonsty, and a moral nuisance in the Of Coolacrease neighbourhood.’ In an article in BACKGROUND the Impartial Reporter (13 July, THE Pearson family owned an 1917), the sect was described as ‘a extensive 341 acre farm at movement which most sane peo- Coolacrease, over a mile from ple would regard as mischievous.’ Cadamstown and four miles from Michael Cordial and Peter Lyons, members of the Offaly Hurling COONEYITES PROVOKE Junior team which won the Leinster Junior Title in 1915. The Kinnity. Originally a native of the HOSTILE REACTION Ballygeehan townland in Co. Such was the intense anger the Cordial brothers were renowned for their hurling skill in Offaly Laois, William Pearson bought the sect incited, whole communities land in 1911 for £2,000. He avoid- and New York. There was a crossover of membership between the often turned against them. On GAA and IRA. To what extent this applied to Offaly requires fur- ed employing local labourers to occasion Edward Cooney received work the sizable farm. He police protection because of the ther research. explained how he saved the fury he fermented amongst the a number of Volunteers surround- of his wounds in the County expense of hiring workmen as general public. In Newtownards ‘one man interested in the work ed the Pearson’s house. Other Infirmary eight days later leaving the townspeople threatened to Volunteers went to where Richard a widow and six children. Liam would be worth six who were not.’ expel Cooneyites as they were A man of delicate health, he left and Abraham were working in a Dignam, 23, O/C 1st Battalion similarly ‘hunted out’ of hay field about thirty yards away. (Clara), No. 2 Brigade was most of the farm work to his sons. Ballynahinch. At Strangford He had four sons and three daugh- The IRA ordered the two brothers wounded by the Black and Tans in Lough the Cooneyites were to put up their hands and go up to Clara on 25 October 1920. ters. Richard, the eldest son, man- ‘almost driven into the sea.’ In aged the farm. The Pearsons were the house. They were taken to a Dignam, who was unarmed, was Swords windows were smashed at yard at the back of the house, told shot in the back, above the right a tight-knit and insular family. a house where the sect met requir- This self-exclusion and reluctance of the execution order, and then kidney, leaving a large wound ing police intervention. In shot by the firing squad. while trying to escape with his to hire local labour may lie in the England the sect stirred up a hos- family’s Cooneyite roots. The ASU botched the execution companions into a house. He fell tile reaction. A crowd of 3,000 and did not carry out a coup de at a door step writhing in agony. THE PEARSON’S AS men and women drove Cooneyite The ruins of the Pearson family farm at Coolacrease, over a mile from Cadamstown and four miles from Kinnity. COONEYITES grâce by finishing the two broth- Removed to the County Infirmary ‘Go Preachers’ out of the quaint 10,000 people. At an anti-con- headed by the Cork IRA, was ous stomach injury. In June 1921 Burke complained ers off with head shots. The Offaly he succumbed to his wounds on 21 The family were recorded as market town at Sudbury in West members of the Church of Ireland scription meeting in Tullamore standard IRA policy. However, no Constantly pushing the boundaries to GHQ over the executions of IRA had limited experience in March 1921. Suffolk. Overseers of the neigh- bricks and other missile were person was regarded as an ‘Enemy with the local IRA, the Pearsons two informers, one in Cloghan and shootings and their training was Peter Lyons, IRA Intelligence in the 1911 census. They may bouring parishes issued a signed have joined the sect after the cen- thrown injuring a number of of Ireland, whether they may be finally crossed the Rubicon. The another near Belmont, that minimal. They were not battle Officer: ‘They [IRA] did what statement warning the country Volunteers. The RIC complained described locally as Unionist, local IRA’s unwillingness to con- ‘Warnings in such cases is [sic] hardened veterans. Almost two they should do.’ sus was taken or concealed their people against the ‘Tramp Cooneyite membership. The how the IRA’s war in Offaly Orangeman, etc. except that they front the threat posed by the useless.’ In relation to several weeks previously, the 2nd The day before the execution Preachers,’ while a number of ‘would have waned before this are actively anti-Irish in their out- Pearsons almost led to the killing other people strongly suspected of Battalion (Cloghan) IRA bungled Sidney, the third target, left with Cooneyites were an aggressively ministers of various denomina- minded, secretive, and millenarian [May 1921], if the influence of the look and in their actions.’ The of two of their comrades. The dan- informing in the area Burke the shooting of an informer. Three his father to attend a wedding fes- tions also signed a similar caution. women had not kept it alive.’ Pearsons were aggressive in their ger was left to the senior IRA lead- declared it was ‘practically impos- Volunteers armed with two rifles tival in Tipperary from where they sect. In the death certificate of At Debenham the quiet country- Susan Pearson her religious affili- Ernie O’Malley, a leading IRA outlook and, above all, in their ership of the No. 2 Brigade to sible to get proof of their guilt.’An and a shotgun were lying in wait proceeded to Mountmellick. The side was reported to be in ‘uproar’ Commander, observed: ‘The girls actions. Republicans pointed out defuse. The IRA’s kid gloves were informer ordered out of an area to kill the chief clerk at Perry’s IRA, using hay sprinkled with ation was described as ‘Christian,’ over the activities of the sect. a euphemism for Cooneyites. In and women glorified the fight- how, until a very late stage in the now off. With the attempted later joined the Black and Tans mills in Belmont. The Volunteer petrol, set fire to the Pearson home THE PEARSON’S ing…The women were more bitter war, there was no retaliation by killing of Volunteers the eldest and subsequently ‘convicted sev- armed with the shotgun was over- and out houses which were com- photographs of the family all the RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY hair of the females was cropped than the men.’ the IRA when the houses and Pearson brothers collectively eral men arrested in the district on ly uptight and fired prematurely pletely destroyed. Ricks of hay Although the young Pearson boys Arrest of Local Republicans property of Republicans were signed their death warrant. various charges.’ Tipperary IRA when the target was over sixty and straw were also burned. A short, a tell-tale sign of the strict once hurled for the local national adherence to Cooneyism. The Pearson’s bitterness towards destroyed by the Crown forces. Retaliation was now of imperative leader Dan Breen stressed: ‘Our yards away. This lapse in military group of Volunteers transferring school team the family later devel- their community heightened fol- This strategy of restraint was military necessity to safeguard only mistake may have been that discipline enabled the fortunate the arms used in the execution The origins of the radical sect can oped a disdain for their be traced to William Irvine, a lowing a heated argument between counter productive as the Crown local Republicans. we set at liberty many whom we man, an ex-soldier, to escape with back to Kinnitty were surrounded Republican neighbours. In an Richard and John Dillon, a local forces continued their reprisals The No. 2 Brigade’s Response had ample evidence; they received his life. by Crown forces but managed to Scotsman. Irvine’s excitable arms raid in the area the IRA preaching and uncompromising Republican. The family was with gusto while giving a free On 26 June 1921 the attack was the benefit of the slightest doubt.’ The Offaly IRA preferred to spe- escape. IRA Volunteer Peter forcibly seized two guns from the almost certainly to blame when hand to loyalist collaborators. reported to Thomas ‘Squint’ Militant loyalism not informing cialise in low risk sabotage. Their Lyons had a peripheral involve- zeal attracted many young people. Pearsons who refused to hand Initially the languishing Methodist John Dillon and another On 22 June 1921, eight days Burke, the No. 2 Brigade O/C. At sealed the Pearson’s fate. In a activities were praised by An ment in the execution. He, along them over. From 1918 onwards Republican J.J Horan, were later before the execution of the a 3rd Battalion meeting in report sent to GHQ Burke record- tÓglach, the IRA journal. The with another Volunteer, collected a churches were fiercely denounced houses of farmers and others by the sect. Irvine railed on all arrested. The Pearsons were said Pearsons, an IRA General Order Kilcormac Burke decided to exe- ed the reasons why he ordered the Offaly IRA blamed the flat coun- rifle at Cloghan which was trans- known to possess shotguns were to have gloated over the arrests by on counter-reprisals with the sanc- cute the three eldest Pearson execution of the two Pearson tryside and the perceived poor ter- ferred to other Volunteers who in other Christian churches as irrevo- targeted by Irish Volunteers. Arms cably corrupt and decadent. He erecting white flags on their farm tion of Dáil Éireann was circulat- brothers and burn down their brothers and the burning of their rain for their lack of success in turn gave it to the IRA firing were collected from those who in a triumphant display of loyalist ed. The order was deemed neces- house. The No. 2 Brigade under- home: ambushes. This was more of an squad. Lyons blocked the road to poured contempt upon all organ- were friendly to Republicans and ised forms of Christian worship supremacy and mocked the IRA sary to prevent destruction by the went an unprecedented ruthless The men who fired were recog- excuse than a valid reason. There prevent any surprise Crown force commandeered from Loyalists. for having ‘surrendered.’ The Crown forces of Republican hous- direction when Burke became the nised by the men present to be was a chronic lack of decisive patrol interfering with the execu- and proclaimed marriage an Patrick O’Riordan, Vice empty institution believing the Pearsons openly courted Crown es and property. The order out- new O/C in May 1921. Burke was three brothers named Pearson. leadership which had a debilitat- tion. A party of Volunteers were in Commandant of the 4th Battalion force support and their actions lined how it was ‘desirable’ that a one time medical student These Pearsons were sons of a ing affect on operations. position in Kinnittyy to harass any end of the world was nigh. In Co. (Birr), recalled that ‘generally Fermanagh the sect established a were vigorously aggressive and ‘the most active enemies of attached to the Dublin IRA. He Protestant [sic] farmer in the dis- The No. 2 Brigade’s military defi- attempt by the Crown forces to speaking, the owners of the guns, provocative. Michael Cordial, Ireland’ should be ordered out of served as a GHQ appointed organ- trict. They had always displayed ciencies were noted by Michael carry out a reprisal. Over sixty permanent footing and underwent Catholic and Protestant alike, gave renewed growth when Edward Quartermaster, 3rd Battalion the country or have their lands iser in south Offaly on a weekly open hostility towards the IRA McCormack, O/C 3rd Southern years after the event Lyons them up to us voluntarily when we (Kilcormac), South Offaly No. 2 confiscated. Republicans high- wage of £5.10 where he led a fly- and have been active in promoting Division. In a correspondence remained unrepentant: ‘People Cooney, a charismatic preacher, called, and in very few cases had joined. By 1904 the sect was com- Brigade IRA stated: ‘They were - lighted how the policy of modera- ing column. Ernie O’Malley was the Ulster Volunteer movement in with GHQ, McCormack observed: look back now and say didn’t the the guns to be seized by threat or particularly – so, the male mem- tion failed: one of earliest GHQ organisers their district in which there are a ‘Their sniping is poor, as you will IRA do this, and didn’t the IRA do monly referred to as Cooneyites force.’ although this was just one of many bers of the family, father and three The restraint and sent to Offaly for a short duration number of ‘Planters.’ doubtlessly have noticed & conse- that, but they did what they should By 1920 the Pearson’s ties with sons – violently opposed to the moderation…under well nigh in 1918. In early 1921 two organ- Having satisfied myself by quently the enemy have adapted do. I mean to say those two went diverse names which included the local community underwent an ‘Dippers,’ ‘Two-by-Two’s’ ‘No National Movement and they intolerable provocation, to retali- isers were sent to south Offaly by enquiries from the Coy Capt, an attitude of contempt for the out and fired on them where they inexorable decline accentuated by looked with contempt on local ate with methods employed by the GHQ. Both were unsuccessful and Kinnity, and Officers present at Brigade in general.’ McCormack were fighting for their country.’ Name Church’ ‘Go Preachers’ an acrimonious dispute of the amongst others. Volunteers or IRA men.’ As with enemy had no effect upon the con- recalled by the IRA Chief of Staff. Battalion Council, that there was expressed disappointment how PROPAGANDA FALL OUT family’s origin. In what smacked numerous informers and oppo- science or policy of the British Undeterred, GHQ then sent no doubt about the identity of the IRA training camps could not be The Pearson’s mother, sisters, and Cooney’s fiery zeal was ideally of religious intolerance the family suited to the militant stance of the nents of the IRA in Offaly the government and a deplorable Burke, one of their best men, in men who fired, I ordered that more elaborate due to the absence two cousins claimed to have wit- blocked Catholics from accessing family was warned several times small effect upon their few active what was a determined effort to these men be executed and their of ‘good officer material.’ The nessed the execution. It is dubious sect. Preachers of all groups other a traditional local Mass path. than their own were considered to refrain from antagonising supporters in Ireland, who intensify the war in Offaly. houses destroyed. Destruction of inadequate educational back- if any of the Pearson women were Cooneyities deplored religious Republicans. Richard threatened appeared to suppose that under the Burke replaced Seán Mahon as their premises was essential to ground of many of the IRA offi- permitted to view the execution. ‘false prophets’ and ‘hirelings.’ meetings held in a ‘church build- Only those who become followers to burn down the house of a shelter of the terrorist British Brigade O/C who was arrested in remove other members of the fam- cers hampered aspects of the train- In the words of Ethel Pearson, a ing’ as ‘the false way.’ The eldest Volunteer who warned him. forces they could continue to com- early May 1921 during a major ily from the district to safeguard ing regime. Volunteers who sister of the executed brothers: of the ‘Jesus Way’ were regarded brothers often galloped on horse- as true children of God and every- REPUBLICAN STRATEGY mit high treason with impunity round up by the Crown forces. our forces. The enemy is kept well attended a training camp during ‘My mother who was in a fainting back through groups of Sunday HARDENS TOWARDS and at the same time contemplate Burke was pivotal in reviving the informed of the actions and per- the Truce were reported to be condition was carried by my two one else considered satanic. Mass goers to force them off the PROTESTANT OPPOSITION LOYALIST the flaming homesteads of their fortunes of the much criticised sonnel of our force in the district ‘very slack in any military knowl- brothers into a little wood we call roads. The family was immersed COLLABORATORS patriotic fellow countrymen with Brigade. An ability to guarantee a and arrests have been frequent. edge.’ the Grove and we all went with TO COONEYISM in a deluge of sweeping sectarian- Protestants emerged as the most Since March 1921 Dáil Éireann cold indifference or active more merciless and clinical There is good grounds for suspect- At 6.55 p.m., while leaving the her by the order of the raiders.’ ism which was embedded in accepted formal responsibility for approval. approach was why GHQ elevated ing the family of transmitting dispensary in Kinnity, Dr This was confirmed by Michael robust opponents of the sect. In Cooneyism. Not to be outdone the the preface to Reverend Simon the actions of the IRA. According ATTEMPTED KILLING OF Burke to be the new Brigade O/C. information. Two of these men – Frederick W. Woods was told the Cordial: ‘The house was sur- sisters tried to block access to the to the RIC and the British Army IRA VOLUNTEERS From Portumna, Co. Galway, Pearsons- were duly executed on two Pearson brothers had been rounded and all women folk were Carter Armstrong’s pamphlet The Mass path by linking arms togeth- Cooneyites or Dippers published the majority of people sympa- From their intimate relationship Burke had none of the parochial 1/7/21 [sic] and their houses shot. Dr Woods immediately pro- removed from the scene.’ Ethel er to form a human barrier. The thised and supported the IRA in with the Crown forces the baggage which may have curtailed destroyed by fire... ceeded to Coolacrease on a bicy- falsely swore how some of the in 1910 the sect was castigated for Pearson sisters were known to be its ‘pernicious teaching.’ Offaly by the time of the execu- Pearsons developed a false sense the actions of his predecessor who It is possible Burke received cle. On arrival at 7.30 p.m. he saw IRA firing squad used shotguns. as belligerent as their men folk. tion of the Pearson brothers. In of security. The Pearson brothers was criticised for his poor leader- authorisation from a senior IRA Richard Pearson lying on a mat- As she did not witness the execu- Armstrong warned anyone who Women, on all sides, were regard- gave ‘help or countenance to June 1921 the RIC in Offaly com- became more emboldened and ship ability and incompetence. leader, Michael McCormack, O/C tress in a field at the back of the tion this was mere speculation ed as more extreme than men. plained of ‘losing the support of militant in challenging the IRA. In The young medical student’s 3rd Southern Division (covering house. By this stage Richard lost a which was disproved by the med- them’ as ‘false to his Christian During the period of WW1 the profession, and a traitor to his the large section in every commu- June 1921 Volunteers from the ascension signalled a new depar- Offaly, Laois, and North considerable amount of blood. ical evidence. Dr Woods gave evi- wives of British Army soldiers, nity, who like to be on the winning local Kinnitty ‘C’ Company, 3rd ture more to the taste of GHQ than Tipperary) which was established Had medical assistance arrived dence into how the wounds were Church.’ Some Protestants resent- the so-called ‘separation women,’ ed the presence of the sect in their side.’ The Offaly IRA was in the Battalion were ordered to fell a the diffident local IRA. in May 1921. sooner the lives of the two broth- caused by revolver or rifle bullets. often violently opposed the Irish ascent and experiencing wide- tree to block the road at Shortly after Burke assumed com- RIC AND IRA UNANIMITY ers may have been saved. Richard The execution offered an ideal local community whom they Volunteers. With RIC connivance, regarded as troublesome outsiders. spread support. The popular legit- Coolacrease. The planned road- mand a No. 2 Brigade Active ON MOTIVE FOR received superficial wounds to the opportunity to exploit the per- the separation women along with imacy of Republicans was reflect- block, a routine military operation Service Unit (ASU) numbering EXECUTION left shoulder, a deep wound in the ceived bloodthirstiness of A fiercely critical letter by ‘A a number of young boys orches- Loyal Subject’ appeared in the ed in their substantial democratic for Volunteers, was in place for an five Volunteers ambushed and In the monthly report for June right groin and right buttock. Republicans. A Dublin Castle trated the attack on the Sinn Féin mandate both at a local and anticipated attack on Crown fatally wounded two RIC consta- 1921, sent to GHQ, Joseph There were also wounds to the left propaganda article was produced King’s County Chronicle (19 rooms in Tullamore on 20 March April, 1900) protesting against a national level as well as the suc- forces in Birr. Shortly after mid- bles at Kinnity on 17 May 1921. Reddin, Adjutant No. 2 Brigade, lower leg of a superficial nature which alleged the IRA looted the 1916. The following year the cess of the arbitration courts. In a night the three eldest Pearson Six days later the O/C of this ASU wrote: ‘Two hostile Unionists and about six wounds to the back. house while rehashing an allega- meeting of the sect in a wooden ‘Separationist faction’ organised a hall erected at Bourney, midway fatal misjudgement the Pearsons brothers, Richard, 24, Sidney, 20, shot a spy near Mountbolus. The executed for levying War on mem- Dr Woods dressed the wounds tion by Ethel Pearson about ‘filthy hostile demonstration and banked on British victory and Abraham, 19 fired with shotguns following month Burke ordered bers of this Coy [Kinnity] when antiseptically. After attending to muddy water’ apparently given to between Roscrea and engaged in stone throwing when Templemore: ‘These obstinate and Republican defeat. on the Volunteers cutting down a the execution of two informers, operating on road blockade a Abraham, Dr Woods returned to her mother when ‘plenty of clean Eamon de Valera visited By June 1921 the burning of loy- tree. Two Volunteers were wound- both of whom were ex-soldiers. week previous. Also the house and Kinnitty at about 8.45 p.m. At water was obtainable.’ It is self-opinionated saints…The Tullamore attracting a crowd of whole thing has so far proved only alist collaborators’ homes, spear- ed, one of whom received a seri- The local IRA was accountable to its contents were destroyed.’ At 10.45 p.m. the RIC came to the unknown if the article, dated 9 GHQ for any execution. In cases the Military Court of Inquiry in doctor’s house. July 1921, was ever published as it of ‘communication with the lieu of an inquest the RIC Queen’s He again left for Coolacrease. By seems the intervention of the Enemy,’ GHQ required that all County Inspector maintained the the time the doctor arrived Truce consigned the horror story sentences were to be ratified by motive for the execution was that Richard was already dead. The to cold storage. the Brigade O/C. Reports of exe- Richard and Abraham Pearson cause of death was shock and The article was twisted for maxi- cutions were sent to the Adjutant saw two men, ‘Sinn Feiners,’ haemorrhage. On examining the mum emotional outrage to dehu- General in GHQ. Suspicion alone felling a tree on their land adjoin- body again Dr Woods found a manise Republicans. It included was not enough to warrant an exe- ing the road and told the men to dangerous wound he had not pre- macabre details of the IRA enter- cution. Richard Mulcahy, IRA clear off. When they refused the viously discovered. Abraham was taining themselves by playing Chief of Staff, stipulated where Pearsons fetched two guns, fired removed to Crinkle Barracks in ‘ragtime music’ on a piano and there were any doubts surrounding at and wounded two men. Both the Birr. He had extensive wounds to violins while the execution was the guilt of an informer GHQ was RIC and IRA were firm and the left cheek, left shoulder, left carried out. This propaganda strat- to be contacted. Mulcahy warned unequivocal over the motive for thigh and the lower left leg. He egy was known within Dublin the O/C Tipperary, No. 2 Brigade: the execution. There was no ambi- was also wounded in the abdomen Castle parlance as ‘verisimili- ‘You must be very careful that guity. and the lower part of the spinal tude,’ whereby stories would have where there is any doubt the cor- THE EXECUTION OF column was fractured. At 6 a.m. the appearance of truth. The lies in rectness of any evidence alleged RICHARD AND ABRAHAM the next morning Abraham died the propaganda document were against spies the matter is referred PEARSON from ‘shock due to gunshot partly based on the deception of to GHQ, before any action is taken Up to thirty IRA Volunteers were wounds.’ The remains were Susan Matilda and Ethel Pearson. against them.’ Seamus O’Meara, involved in the operation to exe- interred at the family place at Significantly, some elements of O/C Westmeath Brigade IRA, cute the Pearson brothers and burn Ballacolla in Co. Laois. truth surfaced. In a telling slip the Motive for the Execution: The road where members of ‘C’ saved several people who were down their house. The Volunteers The Pearson episode was tragic. women were reported to have suspected of spying from being were mostly drawn from the 3rd However, the manner of their been ‘placed on a little hill just Company, Kinnity, were engaged in a road block operation by shot as there was ‘no actual proof, Battalion comprising four compa- deaths was no less traumatic than outside the back of the house.’ felling a tree. The three eldest Pearson brothers attempted to kill only suspicion.’ The procedure nies ‘A’ Killoughey, ‘B’ many members of the Crown This was the grove, further under- Volunteers by firing with shotguns. Two Volunteers were wound- The scene of the execution. Richard and Abraham Pearson were adopted towards suspected Kilcormac, ‘C’ Kinnitty and ‘D’ forces and IRA who died during lining how the Pearson women informers was to send them a Drumcullen. The main ASU num- this time. On 21 September 1920 were not in a position to witness ed, one of whom received a serious stomach injury. Both the RIC lined up against the inside wall to the left of the main archway. warning letter. Unlike in Offaly bered about ten men, armed with RIC Sergeant Denis McGuire, 44, the execution. and IRA were firm and unequivocal on the motive for the execu- The execution was botched with the IRA firing squad failing to such warnings seemed to have the rifles, who acted as the firing was shot through the right eye by tion. administer a coup de grace. ‘desired effect.’ squad. On 30 June 1921, at 4 p.m. an IRA sniper at Ferbane. He died PART TWO NEXT WEEK