did. I hope to attach to this account of the incidents, a copy of the true last letter of Reggie Dunne. In the autumn of 1920 a member of the Cork Post office was arrested by the IRA. During questioning he confessed his association with the Black and Tans, with the nightly raids, and with the "Sinn Fein" (?) Murder Gang. It took some months of investigation in checking not alone his confession but also on the activities of a number of so-called Pro-British Loyalists in Cork City, practically all of them Merchants. The first one to be dealt with represented a well-known firm on the Grand Parade in Cork, and on this person was found a cheque for 1000 pounds. However, our people did not entertain the idea that these people committed 19 murders for the sake of money. Our people felt that these men had such an intense hatred of the nevertheless Irish people, whom they successfully exploited; nevertheless they sided with the enemy in the most barbarous fashion. Inside the next few days the balance of that Murder Gang was adequately dealt with. One, who escaped, committed suicide on a train bound for London. Around that time we also learned that the British had employed young [Belt No. 7 Page 3] protestant members of the W.O.I.C.A.(??) As a matter of fact, one of them confessed that he trailed Tomas MacCurtain to his home on the night Tomas was murdered. In his confession he implicated a few others, but still, it took us nearly 12 months from the date Tomas was murdered, to verify this kind of evidence. Further to display the arrogance of the Pro-British element in Cork, mainly Protestants, who would stop at nothing to undermine the fight for Irish independence. In the passing of time, a great number of these gentleman are enjoying the fruits of prosperity in the Republic of Ireland. Never, at any time have they been conspicuous in coming forward, telling of the wonderful freedom they are enjoying in the 26 counties. Openly, they enthusiastically support a "Poppy Day" on November 11th, but never, at any time, have they come forward to support any cause connected with Irish Nationalism, or Irelands efforts to obtain complete freedom for the entire 32 counties. Instead they represent a solid barrier, which has all the implications of hostility in its most severe form. Further evidence was given in the case of the shooting of Peacock (??) in the "Shannon", Co. Cork (??) who was then the Head of the British Murder Gang in Munster. A few years later, a Clergyman, who had been a Chaplain in the British Forces and subsequently, in the Irish Free State Army, - so totally brainwashed - that one night in the company of the late Tom Casey and myself, he pointed out that the Col. Smith who was responsible for a most inflammable speech to the R.I.C. in Listowel, Co. Kerry came over to avenge the shooting of his brother. I pointed out to the Chaplain that he did not know [Belt No. 7 Page 4] what he was talking about. He admitted he knew Smith back in Waltham (??) many years ago, but I pointed out to the Chaplain that Smith was actually shot in Dunconway (??) in November 1920. But that Col. Smith, who supposedly came over to avenge his Brother's shooting, was himself killed in the month of July, 1920. This incident occurred In the County Club South Mall (??) Cork City. Due to magnificent Intelligence Force of the Cork Brigade, Smith who had only landed the night before, was well known to the Cork Brigade, as were his movements, right on the following day. He was easily distinguishable due to the fact that he had only one hand and still during all that time not one of the so-called Loyalists came forward to confess wrong-doings on their associations with the man. [Belt No. 8 Page 1] following are certain events which have to be inserted in their proper place in chronological order. First of all 2nd G. Comp. Batt. through the many raids and contacts particularly with the British Army they were able to obtain quite substantial amounts of munitions, especially rifle ammunition No.303. The late Pat Collins, who was Captain of G. Comp., spoke to Sean Hegarty and it was decided to give that No.303 ammunition to General Tom Barry and his West Cork Column who were putting up such a tremendous fight in all the West Cork area. Prior to transferring this .303 ammunition, from St. Finn Barrs Parish to Upton it was decided to do so in a very special fashion. Going up by road was entirely out of the question because of the probability of being held up by the black and Tans or by the British Authorities. Consequently, the ammunition was packed in a box and taken by Pat Collins and Georgie Burke down to the Bandon Station and placed in a goods-van where Dan Coleman (??) an employee of the Bandon Railway and also a member of G. company sat himself right on top of that box took it as far as Upton where he delivered it safely into the hands of Gen. Tom Barry, and his column. Getting back to the United States in 1939 mention was made that the visiting delegates from the IRA were meeting with certain people who were actually unwanted in the eyes of active Irish Republicans in the States. Very clear indication of this was given, particularly in Detroit were the members (who actually??)..??.. least of all the Gaelic League, or those who controlled the Gaelic League and where a meeting was held
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