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and [Tom Ennis] in Cork to stop fighting to force the provisional government to get an agreed settlement. Cosgrave did not agree. Refers to response of Sean Deasy to offer of negotiations using intermediary PC O’Mahony, and Deasy’s later peace effort. Dore went to Kerry at the time and was horrified by both side’s reprisals. Refers to small numbers killed in the 1916 – 22 period in Kerry compared to 100 in the civil war. Notes that PC O’Mahony was sent in late 1920 or early 1921 by H.Q. to Limerick and Kerry with instructions to relieve the pressure on Cork and Tipperary, and was afterwards very unpopular in his native county. Says he ‘…knew of Collins [General Michael Collins’] unbounded ambition and arrogance and so did Brugh [Cathal Brugha]…We were at a meeting here in 17 – 18 and Brugh said I will destroy the IRB if it’s the last thing I do- and I said if you try you will only consolidate it round the man you want…Collins…’ and ‘….present…were Sean ÓMuirthle, Sean [McGarry], Con Collins, Ernest Blythe and Tom Ashe…, Blythe…will disagree…he did not know Collins then…’. Dore voted for the [treaty] ‘as a gamble it may work out alright but its true we fellows did some constructive work. At this we parted and he became one of the most savage Free Staters who never fired a shot at anyone in our war…’. 2pp 48. 16 Nov 1971 Photocopy of MS. Letter (with MS. Note at rear), from Riobard Langford, 20 South Terrace, Cork, to ‘A Éamonn, a Chroí’, Eamon Dore, [Limerick], in response to Dores letter of the 14 th Nov (U156/47). It is hard for him to understand Tom Ennis and Paddy Daly trying to ‘call a halt’ and revert to the ‘status quo’. Refers to discussion in [UCC] Dairy Science lecture hall regarding [Eoin Neesons] book, and concerning the death of Michael Collins. The ambush party had left after 3 hours waiting, with just 3 remaining. One of the audience claimed he was in the armoured car with Michael Collins, and that [Tom Ennis] was behind Collins in a touring car. He doubts that Collins was killed by a richochet. Regarding peace offerings, he ‘cannot equate even a possiblity’ of it given Collins’ actions in taking the Four Courts ‘at the behest of General Maxwell’. Also refers to murders of Harry Boland and MacNeill’s son, and a ‘background of treachery and duplicity’, and Ballyseedy and the ‘unwritten tragedies of Kerry’. The offer of peace came very late, the end of 1922 or beginning of 1923. Describes the horrors of the Ballyseedy incident, and the ‘hang dog face’ of Dick Mulcahy. Refers to IRB meeting in Parnell Place and resolution to have
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