was summoned. At a meeting of the Terance McSwiney Sinn Fein Club, of which I was the Chairmen the matter was debated at length. Miss Mary McSwiney was present and she opposed the new move - and so did I. While we were beaten on just one vote, I was yet elected unanimously as the delegate. I felt that this position should be filled by one of the majority and that they should appoint one of their own men and I openly said so pointing out that I could hardly represent them effectively with my views - which had been turned down constitutionally. Consequently, another member was elected to act as delegate. While in Dublin at an Army Ex Council Meeting, I got an urgent call - about 4:30 am. - informing me that a meeting of the Cork Corporation was set for the following day at which [114] the new lord Mayor was to be elected. This election was, of course, most important for us. That night I was staying with Seamus O’Callaghan and Tadg Quinlan, both of them attached to GHQ. They helped me most effectively to get my things packed, provided me with transport to the train station so that I was able to catch the early morning train to Cork (known to all and sundry at the "Milk-Train" as it used to stop at every town, village, and hamlet not to forget the individual farm!) On the train I met Liam McIvor who had already been on the look-out for me. Finally arriving in Cork, I was met at the train and told that, owing to the very close vote, it was not only possible but probable that Freddy Murray and myself might be arrested, taken into custody, and thus prevented from casting our votes. So, it was suggested to me that I better enter the meeting - which was still in session - by the back door. I disagreed with this type of strategy. pointing out that it would PRECISELY be the back door entrance where the opposition would expect us to enter and would thus be prepared for us. I suggested that, instead, we should boldly go in the front door. I felt quite sure that I would not be arrested with a crowd milling around all of whom would probably create a scene - something the Free State Army forces and politicians would certainly shy away from. Well, my plan worked and I got inside the Chamber without trouble, sat down next to Sean Cronin whose brother Fred, incidentally, was still imprisoned. The chair was held by John J. Horgan, a plumber, and since he was opposed to our views it meant that, in case of a tie, he would cast his vote for the opposition. Sean French was elected by just one vote and I offered up silent thanks to the Lord who, I felt, was good to me by getting me back in time to cast my vote. Had I not been present no excuse, how ever legitimate, would have been accepted. It was quite significant also that we did not receive the usual advance notice and agenda, something that was the rule even for unimportant meetings. [114a] 8 1924 Due to my being a member of the Cork Corporation, I attended a meeting to discuss a special matter which was causing a great deal of controversy at the time. It was the demand by the Ford's factory that they be permitted to have the fee-simple of Cork Park. This issue had gained so much publicity and importance that the newspapers, many of the Clergy, and numerous Ford workers showed up to fill the gallery, all of them partisan and supporting Fords. Some of the criticism was most unfair as those who happened to oppose the Ford demand were accused of "sending Ford's out of Cork when they were giving so much employment". Sitting in that very same gallery were men who had actually been employed by Ford's on the strength of my recommendation some years before. (But then, such is life and just one more example that one's importance is very short lived, indeed.) Speeches were made for and against the issue. Taking the speaker's stand I pointed out that Ford's purchased that land for practically nothing and that it represented the one part of Cork, at the time, suitable for housing development. If released, I said, it would prevent any further developments as the other side of the river Lee was totally unsuitable. While this point was the strongest of all which were brought up, it was not strong enough to win the issue. So Ford's got their way and were later able to re-sell that land at an enormous profit which, in my and other people's opinion, was a clear case of cheating the people of Cork out of valuable property which belonged to them by rights. [116] During a long weekend,- Tom Crofts had written to Kerry that he was a planning to come down accompanied by Sean Culhane and Tim Hobbs. Stating that I could not meet them there, I had to travel to Limerick. However, our Limerick business (an election) did not take up too much time so off the three of us sped to Kerry there to attend the anniversary commemoration at Castleisland for the late Jeremiah O'Leary who had been Vice O.C. of 8 There is a typed note here in red – Connie: This page I tentatively number **114 (a)** Contents should be inserted somewhere around here.
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