Barry, Cork 3 Brigade, tentatively suggested that a Dictatorship be set up, Sean immediately shouted "Don't just suggest it, do it." However, no such action was taken, instead an Army Executive was appointed. Matters went from bad to worse, with Convention delegates arguing amongst each other and with several officers and a number of men from the ranks - even from the Cork Brigades that always had had the reputation of outstanding loyalty leaving the Convention and joining the Free State Army at their induction centre at Beggars Bush. One day, soon after the Dublin Convention, Galvin, formerly a member of Cork 2. Brigade showed up at the Union Quay Barracks in Cork, together with another officer. Both men were in the uniform of the Free State Army. Galvin requested that he be granted a meeting with Sean Hegarty. Sean agreed and asked me to stay with him during the interview. As soon as we entered the meeting room, Sean [81] asked the two officers if they recognised the Provisional Government. Galvin tried to avoid a direct answer to Sean's question and started to launch into involved explanations. Sean however, cut him short and pinned him down on his original question, as also on various other points. Within a few short minutes it became quite obvious that Galvin was no match to Sean Hegarty's hard-hitting logic and when Sean, as a parting shot, informed Galvin that we did not and would not recognise his (Galvin's) group, the interview ended there and then and rather abruptly. The entire country was now a camp of armed men. In Kilkenny two groups faced each other, the I.R.A. on the one side, the Free State Army on the other. Sean Hegarty addressed both groups, making an impassioned speech to stop this division in the interest and for the welfare of the country. "All that is needed now" he pleaded, "is for someone irresponsible to pull a trigger, and we will have a civil war with all its horrors right in our land!" The Dáil, at that time, had signed a Pact which was to form the basis for an election to be held immediately; it was held in May. Michael Collins, who had been called to London a few days prior to his visit to Cork, made a speech at a big rally in the city. The rally took place on a Sunday at the Grand Parade and most of us were utterly shocked when in his statements, he clearly broke the agreed-upon Pact by telling his listeners to vote for their own choices. This hit like a bombshell and completely destroyed any faith the Republicans had held in Collins, - the man whom, up to then, they had looked up to as the ONE person in the Free State Government who would remain loyal to the Republican ideals. It upset me then, as it often did in later years, thinking what frightful pressures must have been brought by the British Government upon Collins so that he, finally, cracked under the strain and made these statements. Many on his side insisted that there had been no coercion and no pressures made on Collins, still, this complete and sudden change in the man's attitude yet requires explanation for me and for many others of my countrymen. It does so. even now and so many years later. One week before the Convention, on a Sunday night, I attended a meeting of the 1st Southern Division which was held at Mallow Barracks. Present were Sean Hegarty, Dom O'Sullivan (Adjutant of Cork 1. Brigade), Liam Lynch, Liam Deasy, and all the Divisional Staff, in addition, there were officers representing [82] Cork 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Brigades, Kerry 1, 2, and 3 Brigades, as well as West Limerick and West Waterford Brigades. A great deal of discussion took place and specific reference was made to filling the post of Chief of Staff. The names of Owen Duffy and of Liam Lynch were put forward and, when no decision could be reached, I suggested that we decide on a compromise. It was getting very late that night, and I well remember saying, "If the issue concerns selecting a new man for the post of Chief of Staff, then we should be clearly informed, so that we can go and inform our units. As for myself, and if this is truly the issue, then I would like to state right now that I would prefer to resign and go back to civilian life." Tom Hales, who was sitting near me, gave me an encouraging grin and said quite audibly, "The road home will sure be shortened with that statement, me lad!" How right he was! No reply was forthcoming, and the bickering ended at last. Early in June 1922, I attended another meeting of Cork 1 Brigade, when agreement was reached on all motions and suggestions raised for discussion. Then, still another meeting
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