The Real Chief - Liam Lynch (21 page)

The number of horse vehicles was not less than 300, and when the cortege left Mitchelstown for the cemetery, it stretched along the road a distance of about five miles. The remains had been interred and all the last rites concluded before thousands of people could have reached the cemetery.
19

The surviving officers and men of the army he had led so fear­lessly could not come to pay a last tribute to their dead
Chief
, but wherever they were scattered – whether on the hillside, in the towns or in hiding, in jails or internment camps like his brother Jack – their hearts were with him in Kilcrumper.

Among the many wreaths was one, which bore the in­scrip­tion:
When Emmet's epitaph shall be written, Ireland will write yours, Liam. – Éamon de Valera.
20

The agreement between Commandant General Hannigan and General Liam Lynch was signed at 6.30 on 4 July 1922

‘AGREED'

Commandant General Hannigan will not at any time attack the Executive forces; Executive forces will not attack Commandant General Hannigan's forces.

The Executive forces will not occupy any posts in East Limerick Brigade area.

That both sides only occupy their normal number of posts in Limerick city.

That there be no movement of armed troops in Limerick city or in East Limerick Brigade area, except by Liaison Agreement.

That Commandant General Hannigan withdraws any of his troops drafted into Limerick City since Saturday.

Executive communications to be maintained between 1st, 2nd and 3rd Southern Divisional Headquarters and Limerick City.

This agreement to hold during the period of fighting between Executive forces and Beggars' Bush or until both sides of the army find a solution to the problem.

We agree to these conditions in the practical certainty that national peace and unity will eventuate from our efforts, and we guarantee to use every means in our power to get this peace.

This agreement shall be put into effect by 12 o'clock tonight.

Striving to maintain the highest standard of efficiency in the columns, and taking account of successes and failures, Liam Lynch issued a num­ber of memoranda. The following are samples taken from Opera­tions Orders:

Operation Order 2 – 22/7/1922.

When resting, scouts or sentries should be posted on vantage points commanding a view of the whole country about. At night they should be posted on all roads, and should be provided with horns (or sounders) to signal the approach of the enemy.

When moving, Columns should have advanced and rear guards connected with the main body.

Columns should never move into country until it is first scouted and the O/C has satisfied himself that it is either free of the enemy, or is aware of the exact position he occupies.

Operation Order 9 – 19/8/1922.

They should keep close touch with one another. This is most necessary both from the point of view of co-operation in opera­tions and of protecting one another from surprise or attack by the enemy ... Each unit while at rest should however provide independently for its own protection.

Each operation, no matter how simple it may appear, should be carefully planned, every detail attended to and all contingen­cies as far as possible provided against ...

Before going into action men should have clearly explained to them: (a) the objective to be achieved; (b) the line of retreat; (c) position of HQ and of different sections or units operating.

The strictest discipline on the part of the troops on active service must be insisted on, and any breaches of same should be promptly and sternly dealt with ... Officers should set a good example in the matter of discipline.

Proclamation Óglaigh na h-Éireann

WHEREAS this Junta called the ‘Government of the Irish Free State', have suppressed the legitimate Parliament of the nation and usurped the government, and now, in the endeavour to make good their usurpation and to destroy the Republic, have resorted to the infamous practice of shooting Republican soldiers taken by them as prisoners of war, and have already put to death fifty-three Officers and Men in this manner.

AND WHEREAS, the Army of the Republic is determined that it will no longer suffer its members to be thus dealt with, and the international usage of war violated with impunity,

AND WHEREAS, the army Command of the said Junta, have issued a Proclamation announcing the ‘Punitive Action' will be taken by them against other prisoners in their power if the hostages which we have been compelled to take are not set at liberty.

NOW, WE HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that we shall not give up our hostages, and if the threatened action be taken, we shall hold every member of the said Junta and its so-called Parliament, Senate and other House, and all their Executives responsible, and shall certainly visit them with the punishment they shall deserve.

DATED, this 1st day of February, 1923, at the hour of noon.

Liam Lynch, General,

Chief-of-Staff.

Field General H.Q., Dublin
.

Operation Order issued by Major-General John J. Prout, Officer Commander, Waterford Command, Emmet Barracks, Clonmel – to all units of the National Forces about to take part in this operation in the early hours of the morning of April 10, 1923.

(The O/C Clogheen garrison, received copy.)

Map Ref: Templemore and Tipperary sheet 22. Reliable information to hand. Important Irregular leaders are at present in South Tipperary or Waterford.

Objective:

It is the intention of the G.O.C. to surround that area and capture, if possible, or at least harass the enemy. All farm houses, out-houses, woods, mountains and likely hiding places will be thoroughly searched. Starting points and objectives, at con­clu­sion, giving right and left flank Units or otherwise, columns from Clonmel, Tipperary, Cahir, Mitchelstown, Clogheen, Carrick-on-Suir and Dungarvan will take part.

No. X column from Clogheen under Captain Tom Taylor and one officer, together with sixty other ranks, will proceed at 04.00 hours from Clogheen and reach the village of Newcastle, Clonmel, not later than daybreak tomorrow, April 10, 1923.

At dawn you will drive out from Newcastle in a south-easterly direction with your troops in well extended formation. Search all farmsteads and other likely places across the Knockmealdown Mountains and foothills, holding a well extended line across the mountain, Ballymacarbery, Mount Melleray right and left respectively, where you will link up with a column from Dungarvan operating in a north-westerly direction.

[N.B. This order was issued in the ‘early hours of the morning' of 10th April, 1923, the day Liam Lynch was shot.]

Primary Sources

University College, Dublin, Archives

Richard Mulcahy Papers

Ernie O'Malley Papers and Notebooks

National Library of Ireland

J. J. O'Connell Papers

Frank Gallagher Papers

Luby Papers

Joseph McGarrity Papers

Public Records Office, Dublin

Clonmel Coroners' Report

Private Papers

The Liam Lynch Family Papers and letters, held by Biddy O'Callaghan

Ned Murphy Private Papers

Paddy O'Brien collection

Bill McKenna correspondence.

Liam Deasy Private Papers

Dan (Sando) O'Donovan documents

Oral Testimony

Interviews with a number of people as listed in the acknowledgments and notes. Many of these people were directly involved in the Movement and events of the time.

Newspapers, Periodicals & Journals.

Irish Times; Irish Independent; Irish Press; Freeman's Journal; Cork Exami­ner; Cork Co. Eagle; Cork Weekly Examiner; Evening Echo; Cork Constitution; Evening Herald; The Times; Sunday Independent; Sunday Press; The Evening Press; Melbourne Irish News; Clare Champion; Limerick Leader; Southern Star; The Kerryman; The Clonmel Nationalist; The Clonmel Chronicle; An tÓglach; An Phoblacht; Capuchin Annual; Clare Champion; Kerryman Supplements; Southern Star Supplements; Irish News; Catholic Bulletin.

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