Oct-03

Provisional Government offers amnesty to Anti-Treaty IRA men who surrender as long as, by October 15^th, they give up their arms and took no further part in the armed opposition.   Response is limited.  (O’Farrell says Sept 28^th.)

Litton (1995) pg 111; Hopkinson (1988), pg 181; Macardle (1999), pg 804; O'Farrell (1997), pg xxii

Oct-03

A letter from Fermanagh Sinn Fein leader, Cahir Healy (who was an internee on the Argenta) to Kevin O’Shiel (Cosgrave’s legal advisor), which was sent on the 30^th September is discussed by Provisional Government cabinet.  Healy was seeking direction from Dublin in the light of Cosgrave’s assertion that the northern question must await the restoration of order in south.  Healy mentioned a number of problems such as the imposition of the oath on local government officials.  (Healy was pessimistic and did not expect much satisfaction from Dublin.)  The cabinet instructed O’Sheil to submit a memorandum on the subject of the north and the resulting document, called ‘The North-east: Urgent Matters’ dated 6^th October, is influential on the shaping the cabinet’s attitude towards the northern minority. 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 254

Oct-05

The last victim of the conflict in Belfast was a Catholic, Mary Sherlock (34), - she was shopping on the Newtownards Rd when she was shot in the head by a gang who had followed her into a shop.

Parkinson (2004), pg 306

Oct-06

O’Sheil’s memo on the North-east (see 3^rd October) suggests a representative conference of north-east Nationalists to consider a number of issues including the attitude to be adopted to the northern parliament.  More Detail 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 256-257 & 259

Oct-06

An Anti-Treaty prisoner (Patrick Mulrennan) is shot dead in Athlone jail by Lawlor, a Pro-Treaty officer (who is defended by Mac Eoin).

Macardle (1999), pg 838

Oct-10

Peadar Breslin, who had been captured after the fall of the Four Courts, is shot dead during an attempt to escape from Mountjoy.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 145

Oct-10

In a memo by O’Sheil for the Free State cabinet, he states that the decision of the Northern Government to abolish PR for local elections and to hold urban elections based on the pre-1919 electoral areas meant that the Unionists would recapture Derry city, Downpatrick, Armagh and possibly some others.  Despite protests (particularly from Derry Council) the Northern Government proceeded with these measures and also introduced a mandatory oath of allegiance.

Phoenix (1994), pgs 260-261

Oct-10

Catholic bishops issue a joint pastoral stressing the importance ‘of supporting the national government’.  Of the Anti-Treaty forces, it said “They carry on what they call a war, but which, in the absence of any legitimate authority to justify it, is morally only a system of murder and assassination of the national forces”.  They go on to say that “A Republic without a popular recognition behind it is a contradiction in terms.”  They express the hope that they will take advantage of the Government’s offer.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 182; Macardle (1999), pg 804

Oct-13

A report by the Anti-Treaty army states “Indiscipline is reported to be common amongst our Troops, especially in the Clonmel area”

Hopkinson (1988), pg 209

Oct-15

Army Emergency Powers bill is made effective by Provisional Government after the end of the amnesty period.  (It was passed by the Dáil on 28th Sept.)  Gives military courts power to impose death sentences.  (Hopkinson says this happened on the 9^th Oct and announced on the 12^th Oct.)  Proclamation issued by the Pro-Treaty army given in full as Appendix 28 in Macardle.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 181; Macardle (1999), pg 805; Curran J M (1980), pg 256

Oct 16-17

Anti-Treaty Executive meets in Mrs Nugent's, Poulatar, Ballybacon, and decides on the minimum terms that would be accepted in any peace negotiations.  Also agrees to the formation of a Republican Government and pledges this Government support and allegiance "while it functions as the Government of the Republic".  De Valera was to be ‘President of the Republic and Chief Executive of the State’.  More Detail 

O'Donnoghue (1986), pg 271; Hopkinson (1988), pg 128 & 188; Macardle (1999), pgs 806-808; Curran J M (1980), pgs 254-255

Oct-19

Writing to McGarrity, de Valera states that “I do not care what Republican Government is set up so long as some one is – only I will not take responsibility if I do not get the corresponding authority to act in accordance with my best judgment”.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 188

Oct-19

In London, the Conservative MPs meet in the Carlton Club and agree 187 to 87 to end the Coalition.  They also decide to replace the Conservative-Liberal Coalition with an exclusively Conservative one under Andrew Bonar Law (who replaced Chamberlain as leader) as Prime Minister. Shortly after taking office, Bonar Law announced that his government would honour the Coalition government’s commitment to Ireland.  In a subsequent election, Conservatives gain overall majority of 87.

Curran J M (1980), pg 262

Oct-20

A delegation of prominent unionists (including Dr John Bernard, Provost of TCD and Lord Desart) meet with Cosgrave and are impressed with his desire to restore stability and keeping them in the country.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 196

Oct-25

The Dáil enacts the Constitution of Saorstát Éireann (Irish Free State).

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiii; Curran J M (1980), pg 261

Oct-25

After the meeting of the anti-Treaty IRA Executive on the 16^th and 17^th, Anti-Treaty TDs meet and agree to form a cabinet ‘to be temporarily the Supreme Executive of the Republic and the State until such time as the elected Parliament of the Republic can freely assemble, or the people being rid of external aggression are at liberty to decide freely how they are to be governed’.  More Detail 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 188; Macardle (1999), pg 808; Curran J M (1980), pg 255

Oct-28

The decisions of the Anti-Treaty TDs were publicised on the 26^th and, on the 28^th, the Executive of the Anti-Treaty IRA pledges allegiance to the new government.

Curran J M (1980), pg 255

Oct-30

At a meeting of the 1^st Southern Division of the Anti-Treaty forces, the situation of the five Cork brigades was reviewed and it was admitted that the organisation was very weak in most brigades.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 202

Oct-30

An Anti-Treaty army man (John Lawlor) is killed during a raid by Pro-Treaty forces on Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry.  (It is claimed that he was wounded and then captured.  Early next morning he was killed by his captors.)

Macardle (1998), pg 11

Oct

Tom Maguire, divisional O/C of the Anti-Treaty army in Mayo is captured as is Tom Powell and the Ballinrobe column.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 176

Oct

The Pro-Treaty government sets up the Railway Protection and Maintenance Corps under Charles Russell.  Given the extensive damage to the railways lines, engines, bridges and other railway property carried out by the Anti-Treaty forces, Hopkinson comments that ‘At best the Railway Corps had been a successful example of damage limitation’

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 198-200

Oct-Late

A column of the 1^st Southern Division of the Anti-Treaty forces led by Tom Barry successfully attack Ballineen and Enniskean.   Also, Ballyvourney attacked a number of times during this period.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 203

Oct-Late

Raid by Anti-Treaty forces from Connemara and Mayo on Clifden and after a long fight they take it.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 215