officers wanted from me, consequently, I decided on my own plan. I was asked several questions in rapid succession. Answering none, I only asked in return: "Are there any more questions?" I was ordered to answer the ones that were put to me and then they would decide if there were more to come. Instead of answering any questions I shot back at them: "Now why did you go to all the trouble of arresting me, keeping me a prisoner for days, and then bring me down here? Why didn't you type out all your many questions, deliver them to my home, and then hope for a reply?" Higgins snapped at me to cut out the sarcasm and back he got my reply: "You executed seventy-seven of our men and NOW you expect me to answer your questions! Why don't you just finish up this conversation and let me go back to my cell."
Collins then butted in and all I said to him in utter contempt was: "And you call yourselves an Intelligence Office? Don't make me laugh! "Well, we caught your Division and Brigade officers", said he.
"And why wouldn't you", said I, "with the majority of people in the country a potential spy for you, unfortunately, not to mention the worst of the lot, namely most of the Clergy and the Press!!" "We caught Crofts and Culhane in Castleisland', sneered Collins. "So, and why didn't you catch me that same day?" I asked. "Well, you weren't supposed to be there!" and that reply gave me the clue I needed. Getting up I politely thanked them for providing me with some very useful information. They were completely mystified and asked me what that information was but I simply left with my escort. Tom Crofts had sent a note [123] beforehand stating that he would be going to Castleisland and that I world not be able to go down. That note must have been intercepted, copied and then delivered. 9 When I returned to the Military Detention Barracks, Captain Minogue came up to me and asked me what had happened. I told him of the Intelligence Officers silly attitude in asking questions. He then told me that the Corporation and the County Council had protested against my arrest and he appeared genuinely eager to co-operate in every way possible. Sergeant Kilpatrick, who used to play Rugby in Cork, came to my cell several times telling me that he had met some friends outside who were asking for me; he also offered me whiskey and special food but I just thanked him saying that I was not interested. At this time the authorities had a ticket-of-leave system in operation. I warned Sean that this was a most deceptive and dangerous system by which one would be released after a certain length of time, only to be re-arrested the minute one appeared outside the jail gates. The two of us worked on a plan to escape either on a Tuesday or a Wednesday night but, and to our great surprise, we were released on that same Tuesday morning. This was all to the good, because, had we escaped we would only have had to go on the run again. Being in civilian employment at the time, when funds were badly needed at home, I was very pleased, indeed, at the release. The British Ex-Soldiers Organisation were clamouring for a site to erect a monument to those Irishmen who had been killed in Prance during WW I while [124] fighting for England. They managed to get the issue through Committee and then it came up for final decision at the regular meeting of the Corporation. Unfortunately, some of our own members absented themselves but the gallery was packed. The motion was proposed by two of the councillors, requesting a choice site in South Mall Park. All I could think of was that this would never have come up had it not been for the Treaty which divided our forces. In addition to their own Councillors, the British also had the support of the A.O.H. 10 members, plus those who had accepted the Free State. It was most unlikely that we would have a chance to win unless our absentee members arrived in time for the voting. After stating their case, and being replied to by some of our members, Professor Stockley made a very dignified appeal requesting that this monument not be erected. When I started to speak I was
9 Written comment to transfer this next paragraph to page 123. 10 Ancient Order of Hibernians
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