in all-night route marches, attack and defence manoeuvres, surprise mobilisations - in short - nothing was left undone to train and discipline the men at our disposal. The results were most gratifying and due, mainly, to the marvellous enthusiasm our Volunteers maintained throughout the entire period of exhaustive training. This was a constant source of great encouragement to all of us. The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) while comparatively small in number in Cork held within their ranks all those men who proved invaluable in the subsequent fight for freedom. Every IRB member, officer, or soldier was worthy of the highest trust and confidence. Early in 1918, some of our members lodged a complaint against Michael Collins. I happened to be the Secretary of our Circle for that night and the charges were filed and sent to Dublin, the Headquarters; they, in turn, assigned a man by the name of Walsh to conduct an investigation. Walsh made two trips to Cork, both unsuccessful, then returned to Dublin there to report that he was unable to make any headway. Along came another delegate from Headquarters; we did not know him at the time but he later turned out to be Harry Boland. Harry seated us in a semi-circle and, turning to each one of us in succession he fired rapid questions at us demanding just either a "yes" or a "No". On my right I had Denboy Coughlan, a lovable character, much older than any of us who whispered to me "Now, don't let him pass you by!" So, when Boland came to me he said very sternly: "You were the Secretary that night. You heard the questions I asked of the others here. Now, I want an answer from YOU." "I refuse to answer that type of questioning", I shot back, "because it is contrary to the rules and out of order". "Well, so you want preferential treatment?" he snapped back. "Oh no," I countered, "I just object to the method of your questioning. I did report the charges against Mick Collins because it was my duty to do so as Secretary. The fact that I strongly disagreed with those charges then [6] and disagree with them now is totally irrelevant. However, I strongly feel that it is your duty to tell those members here who made the charges that there is no foundation whatever in them and that they, as a matter of fact, are nothing but a pack of lies!" Denboy Coughlan immediately declared himself in full agreement with my statement. Boland then assured us all that there was not a shred of truth in the charges and that we should forget the whole matter once and for all. Later, on leaving the meeting, Sean Hegarty was waiting for me outside. He introduced me officially to Harry Boland, who immediately stated to us: "Listen, you have some fellows in there who do not belong." I asked him to let us know whom he suspected and from then on we would not have to inform them of our meetings. Not long afterwards, the official organ of the IRB published an article, attributed by many to Mick Collins and P.S. O'Hegarty. Summarising its content, the article stated that "If the Clergy wish to be treated as Clergy they should stay Clergy; but if they wish to act as politicians, then they will be treated as politicians." When this article was read out at our next meeting, four of our members protested; they were the very same four who had agreed with the charges against Collins - and from that night on they ceased to be active in the IRB. As a matter of fact, after 1919, the IRB very rarely met; there was no purpose in it any more since the I.R.A. activities took up all our spare time. The St. Finn Barrs (or "The Lough") Parish was splendidly loyal and 1917 brought many new soldiers to our ranks, by early 1918 we had a well-organised line of all different units. Then came the case of Conscription early in 1918 and still more joined us; however, and after that date we did not accept any more recruits except for those who were transferred to us from other units. The usual training and parades went on, weekdays and Sundays, Manoeuvres and military activities continued, keeping us all we could do to keep pace with our drilling. Sinn Fein Clubs sprang up all over the Country and Ceidhlithe and Aeriocht became popular means to raise funds and support. Towards August 1918, the Chief of M Staff, Dick Mulcahy escorted by Diarmuid O'Hegarty, came to Cork to investigate alleged acts of indiscipline amongst officers in the 3rd Batt. (this Battalion had four Companies.) The enquiry was held in the City Hall in Cork, and Thomas McCurtain and Terry McSwiney were present. A new Battalion staff had to be appointed and the [7] Chief of Staff proceeded to do so by balloting each member. I objected on the grounds that a general vote was bound to result in the
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