The Vote that is under discussion arises out of the military policy of the Beggar's Bush section of the I.R.A. during the period 1922, immediately after the Truce, and in that connection, in order to understand thoroughly the deception that was practised on our people in the North, both on the civil population and on the Army, it is necessary that some light should be thrown on the Army policy at that period. Some time after the Truce a meeting of I.R.A. officers was held at Clones. It was called by the Chief-of-Staff, General O'Duffy, and the question was there discussed as to what should be the attitude of the Army in view of the Articles of Agreement that had been signed in London. General O'Duffy at that time outlined the military policy in the North. He told us, regarding the Articles of Agreement, that a Republican Constitution would be drafted, that there would be no Oath of Allegiance in the Constitution and that the I.R.A. would remain the Irish Republican Army. Some of the officers present at that meeting raised the obvious point that if the military activities in that area were allowed to cease, vested interests would become established, and it would be difficult to renew hostilities and to strike, with the support of the civil population, for the complete independence of our country at a later date. A definite undertaking was given on behalf of the Beggar's Bush section of the Army by General O'Duffy at that meeting that the longest period that the Army in that area would be allowed, or asked to wait, would be a period of from six to twelve months. During that time the Army in that area would be properly trained and equipped.
It was for the purpose of equipping the Army in that area that this transaction with Mr. Fitzgerald was carried out. But things, apparently, did not develop along the lines that were outlined to us by General O'Duffy on that night. Shortly afterwards a number of Army officers were arrested on their way to a Derry football match. Arising out of their detention in Derry Prison, General O'Duffy, Chief of Staff of the Beggar's Bush Section of the I.R.A., ordered a wholesale raid on the Specials and on the Loyalists of the North-East. Consequently, the war that was not to be resumed, as we thought, until we were in a position to prosecute it to a successful conclusion, was started. War was there and then declared by the Ulster Specials on our people. It then became necessary for the Army authorities and the Second Dáil to make an effort to have this war discontinued, or, at least, to pretend to the public, to the authorities in the North-East and to the British Government that this war policy was not being carried out with their complete sanction and approval. Consequently they agreed—that is, the British Government, the North-Eastern Government, and that section of the Republican Army of which General O'Duffy was Chief of Staff—that a Liaison Commission should be set up for the purpose, on paper at any rate, of maintaining peace in that part of Ireland. A Liaison Commission was set up consisting of two representatives of the British Army on the Southern side, two on the Northern side, two of the Six County Government, and two representatives of the I.R.A. in this part of the country. I was the senior representative of the I.R.A. on that Commission. Consequently I think I am in a position to know what the Army policy was, and why this warlike material was required. Reports were forwarded to the Chief of Staff at Beggar's Bush and to the late Michael Collins—that is to say, reports of the meetings of this Liaison Commission. For the information of the House I will read some extracts I have here, copies of my reports and some of the reports of the British representatives, Colonel Montague Bates and Colonel Boyce:—
Courthouse, Monaghan,
22nd Feby., 1922.
To Chief of Staff,
Beggar's Bush Barracks,
Dublin.
On Monday, the 20th instant, I met the Southern representatives of the British Government (Col. Montague Bates and Col. Boyce) at their Headquarters, Monaghan. We discussed the Border question in detail. I pointed out that the two urgent matters that were causing anxiety and irritation were the continued detention of the men arrested in Enniskillen on the night of the raid over the Border, and the arrest and detention of Irish officers in Newry. I made it clear that peace on the Border was impossible, and further raids certain to occur, unless these men and men similarly circumstanced were immediately released.
They agreed with my view point, and arranged to meet the members of the Commission from the Northern Area on Tuesday, 21st instant.
We met on the Monaghan-Tyrone Border. Major Clemson attended on behalf of the British Government and District Inspector King on behalf of the Ulster Government, and Col. M. Bates on the Southern side. It was unanimously agreed that these men should be immediately released in the interest of peace, and Major Clemson arranged to proceed immediately to Belfast and personally place our views before the North-Eastern Authorities....
On February 23rd the British representative, Colonel Montague Bates—he was representing the British Army— reported to the Provisional Government, to General O'Duffy, Chief of Staff of the Beggar's Bush Section of the Army, and to me, as follows:—
Lt. Col. Sutton stated with reference to questions regarding release of prisoners as put forward by the Southern representative, that the G.O.C. Ulster Division was not prepared to go into any political questions, and that the Northern Commission had no authority to discuss questions relating to prisoners. This, of course, was understood, but as has been pointed out in our daily report, No. 1 and No. 2, paragraph 11 (4), and also in the Southern representative's letter for Chief of Staff, paragraph 1, the question of peace on the Border depends on the settlement of this question of prisoners. This was confirmed in the afternoon by the Commandant of the 5th Div., Hogan, in an interview we had with him.
The question of the composition of the Northern Commission then came up. Capt. King we understand is only temporarily appointed, and has not been vested with the same authority as the Southern representative. Both the Northern and Southern Commission agreed that it would be better if the Northern Government appointed a more senior official as their representative, who could deal with questions arising along the whole border of the six counties and was able to keep in personal touch with the Northern Government. It would greatly assist the work of both Commissions if this could be settled as soon as possible....
The question of refugees was then discussed with Sir Basil Brooks. It was pointed out that this was a difficult question, as even if guarantees were given that these refugees would be safe from interference by the authorities yet it would be impossible to guarantee them from aggression by irresponsible individuals who had a personal spite against them. It is important that these refugees should be enabled to return to their homes as soon as possible as they are causing a great deal of trouble in spreading rumours on either side of the Border. Col. Comdt. Ward said that if he was given a list of refugees from the Monaghan area he could make inquiries, and would do his best to see that they were not interfered with if they returned....
After leaving the Northern Commission we motored to Clones to interview Div. Comdt. Hogan, at his Headquarters at the Hibernian Hotel, Clones. He stated that unless the question of the release of the 14 prisoners at Enniskillen, 5 officers at Newry, and 13 prisoners at Derry Gaol was settled satisfactorily, there would be certain trouble on the Border, that counter measures would be taken, and further raids made either by his order or by the order of the local Commandants on the spot, without necessarily awaiting for orders from the Government. On the question of the enforcing of the Proclamation re being in possession of arms, Hogan stated that certain trouble would arise. He said that the disarming would not be impartial, and that it was aimed at the Catholics and all Southern sympathisers. The "B" Specials, of course, would have authority to carry arms, and that as every able-bodied man, and in some cases, those who were not able-bodied men, could enrol in the "B" Specials, then it would mean that only those who were not Northern sympathisers would be disarmed. He mentioned that 95 per cent. were "B" Specials. This would place all Catholics and Southern sympathisers at the mercy of the Northerners. He further stated that, if this proclamation was put in force, then they (the South) would disarm all Northerners, not only on the South side of the Border, but also in the Six Counties area, by concerted raids....