Quite suddenly a Mutiny broke out in the Free State Army. It happened when a minority, who felt that the promises and intentions of Michael Collins were either not being kept or being sidetracked, tried to gain control. These men also felt that the country was purposely being turned back unto a strongly pro-British course while the complete Independence of Ireland was very subtly and cunningly relegated, ever further, to the background. The entire coup was started without any real plan or strong leadership and an appeal to the rank and file of the Free State Army failed to bring the desired results. Consequently, [127] there was never even a hope of success; the Mutiny fizzled out and some of the leaders were arrested. It was in connection with this Mutiny that the home of Joe McGrath was raided and searched, even though he was a Minister in the Government and not involved in the coup. Shortly after, Joe resigned. The irony here lies in the fact that the leaders of the Mutiny were all well known to him and, had they sought his advice at the time, matters might have taken a very different turn. 1925 I spent quite some time in London during that year. I knew the IRA O.C. of Britain very well and was only too glad to co-operate with him in any way he suggested. This proved to be a very valuable experience for me later and after I reached the U.S.A. This visit to London, as well as my employment with Ford's and the Southern Oil Company in Cork took up most of my time and activities after the Civil War. My brothers Willie and Jack, together with Pat Collins (my sister Kathleen's husband) had left for New York in 1924. My Mother and Kathleen followed them in 1925. The reason for my family's relocation to New York was due to my brother Dan's serious illness and all of them insisted that I too should come over and join them. I did not want to leave Ireland and fought against their entreaties as long as I could but pressure was getting to strong. Then finally, and on receiving a transfer from IRA G.H.Q., I sailed for New York. The date was the 9th of April, 1926 -- and I was in anything but a happy frame of mind. [128] 1926 (U.S.A.) During my first week in the U.S.A. I met the great Joe McGarrity and right away a very deep friendship developed which was to last, with the most complete exchanges of confidence and trust, until Joe's death on August 5th, 1940. Also during my first week I joined the Liam Lynch Club of the Clan na Gael where I met many of my former IRA friends. After some days I secured a position as an Accountant with the Tide Water Oil Company for whom I had previously worked in Ireland. I stayed with that company for some time but then left as I saw little chance for advancement. Next I joined Andy O'Neill who ran a Printing Shop, and this job paid a lucrative salary provided one was prepared to work late nights and week ends. At this time Con O'Leary held the post of An Timthire for the Army Council of the IRA. Con hailed from Rathmore, Co. Kerry. He was attached to Kerry 2 Brigade and he was not only a fearless soldier but also a great and resourceful officer. I had known Con for quite some time and we were very good friends. He kept that post for six months and, on his resignation to return to Ireland, Dan O'Donovan took his place. This office combined the office of An Timthire - which included Canada - with that of liaison officer for the Executive Council of the Clan na Gael. Dan held the office for a year or two. Prior to this Frank Aiken had been in the U.S.A. and was introduced as Chief of Staff when, in fact. he had not held that position for quite a long time. Frank spoke in many places and always in agreement with the move to create a new political party. Sean T. O'Ceallaig also was present and he, too, approved while Miss Mary McSwiney (Sister of the murdered Lord Mayor of Cork), who had also come to America, spoke strongly against it. Due to the influx of a great number of former IRA men from Ireland, the [129] Clan na Gael grew into a very strong organisation especially in cities such as New York and Boston. Previously, and due to the Devoy/De Valera split, the membership lists had suffered heavy losses. Efforts were now made to support the new move by De Valera however, this was overwhelmingly opposed in most circles of the Clan na Gael. Consequently, at the Clan Convention in 1927 a motion was passed to oppose this new move on the basis that it caused a drifting away from the old Republican ideals. There were some members, however. who had rather strong views on the issue. When Dan Donovan resigned the Army Council asked me to take over from him. I did so feeling that for the time being, more security was needed but that after a comparatively short
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