and for our civilian population, the bodies of the poor young fellows were not found until around 11:30 a.m. on the following day and, since the Truce commenced at noon (thirty minutes after the discovery) no reprisals followed. I felt then, and have felt since, that this action was a most senseless, and a deeply regrettable incident, something that did considerable harm at to the image of the I.R.A. 3 [70a] 4 [The Captain kept ordering the onlookers to get indoors which they reluctantly did feeling sorry for the poor soldiers but specially for one of them, a young fellow, carrying some sweets in his hands and sobbing pitifully. Our own home was quite near and my Mother tried to help but to no avail - captors and prisoners disappeared toward Ellis field. Bob Aherne and I set out to find hem, I planned to release the soldiers immediately since I could not imagine anyone wanting to hurt these fellows at that time. Bob, who new this, quickly reassured my Mother and some others and followed me. Unfortunately, our efforts to find them failed and it was after 1 p.m. when I met and asked some members of H. Coy. 2nd Batt. in Togher. I was told that they had heard the four soldiers were shot in a field about one mile away. I was horrified not only over this senseless killing of some young soldiers but also because I realised the tremendous danger for a whole-scale reprisal by British Military and the Tans that night.] Bob and I sheltered around Lehengh but there was no sleep for us that night. We knew only too well what would happen if we were caught, and taking greatest precautions, we finally got home in the early morning hours. An a result of this unfortunate incident, a Priest who had been on our side during the Black and Tan War. turned violently against us in the Civil War. He strongly denounced the shooting of the four soldiers and QUITE RIGHTLY so. Many years later in 1924, this same priest came to me asking if I would use my influence to get our boys back into the Confraternity. I declined. telling him that I could not ask them to do something myself mould not wish to do. He tried twice more, and I told him straight out that he lionised our opponents, although he knew perfectly well that those who shot the four soldiers were members of that very opposition of ours. Still, the priest continued his accusations that we were all murderers, bank robbers, and common criminals. I suggested that I would make a general confession to him, and if he were satisfied that I did not commit murder, robbed Banks, or committed other crimes, would he them make a public apology from the Pulpit? He shouted that I must be completely mad and stalked away. So, I never went back into the Confraternity and I suspect, neither did any of my companions. It clearly showed the deeply engrained hypocrisy of some of our spiritual leaders. By this time we were used to it and did not care a whit as our minds went back to 1918 and to the IRB when the clergy act as politicians then treat them an politicians. [72] THE TRUCE, JULY 1921 General Tom Barry of West Cork who arrived to take over position as Liaison Officer, set up headquarters at Turners Hotel. The Turner family were very active Republicans and never failed to give shelter and aid to the I.R.A. Their only son Tom was serving a five-year sentence in Parkhurst Prison, England for his nationalistic activities. General Barry told us what was needed and got our complete cooperation. It and, was Florrie O'Donoghue, and Mick Collins who called on the General in quick succession for important discussions. Then Tom Barry had an appointment with the British Military Forces to iron out various matters connected with the Truce. The General asked me to go along with him to his appointment, however, I declined, and it was Joe O'Connor, Quarter Master of the 1st Southern Division, who accompanied him. At that time, and when General Barry was Liaison Officer, Sean McCarthy of Cork 3 Brigade was assigned to him as Adjutant and assisted him. I, too, assisted where and whenever possible, but there were a host of other duties that required my attention. Military Training Camps for our two City Battalions, the 1st and the 2nd, were organised at Lehanagh, Togher. They were under the very capable Leadership of Sean Murray who was assisted by Sean Tighe. Both men, but particularly Sean Murray (O.C. Training Cork 1 Brigade) had a great lot of military experience and this was put to excellent use with the Cork 3 A hand written note note instructs the addition of page 70a at this point. The page contains the note: (Connie note: This is your original version) 4 This part [….] has been crossed out, the words “It seems” added.
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