Tom Barry

by Meda Ryan

  In a side issue to the Kilmichael ambush, Barry queried Liam Deasy’s kind words about Lieut Col Crake (Craik) commander of the Auxiliary garrison who was killed that day at Kilmichael. In Towards Ireland Free there is an account that Deasy was held up twice previously by Crake and allowed to go free.[96]Barry asks: ‘I wonder how Deasy got to know his name, and if he is sure it was Crake who was present, as the men in charge of such raiding parties never introduced themselves. Deasy states that when ever he thinks of Kilmichael he thinks of four men, the three IRA freedom fighters who died and Crake ... because of “the soldierly humanity which he showed” ‘to Deasy when arrested.[97]When I questioned Rev. Fr Chisholm on this, he said that it was only natural that Deasy would also think kindly of this man who did not arrest him.[98]However, Deasy was unarmed and gave a false name, purporting to be a private citizen without military connections.[99]Major Percival found that ‘hostile leaders were seldom known by sight and often gave false names. A number of them thus slipped through our hands after being actually captured.’[100]

  Flor Crowley remembers a very different Craik (Crake), who came to his home some days before the Kilmichael ambush and questioned his father on the whereabouts of a Danny Crowley who had participated in the Mountpleasant ambush in February 1920. The Danny he was seeking was not Flor’s brother, but a neighbour. In a raid on houses, by Craik and his men, one morning other lads escaped but Danny ‘was cut to pieces by close range bullets ... a savagely mutilated corpse, with almost twenty-five bullet wounds. I know because I saw the corpse with part of its jaw shot away’, he wrote. ‘The two men who laid him out described in gruesome detail what his broken body looked like.’[101]

  When the ambush was over Barry thought all the Auxiliaries were dead, but some of his men informed him one man had escaped. According to the British casualties list at Kilmichael, Cadet C. J. Guthrie, late Royal Air Force, ‘is missing’ and Cadet H. F. Forde, MC, late Royal Air Force, ‘is wounded’.[102]

  Guthrie, driver of the second lorry, slipped over the ditch, off through the fields in the direction of Macroom barracks. When he reached the River Lee at Dromcarra he couldn’t cross and was forced to take to the road. He went to Stephen Twohig’s house and asked to be taken in his pony and trap to Macroom. Twohig refused. Two Volunteers in the house at the time recognised the uniform so they followed him. ‘Realising the danger of letting him into town with the certainty of immediate reprisals on the surrounding country ... they held him up by using a pipe disguised as a gun, and shot him with his own weapon.’ This was not the only reason why they shot him and buried him in Anahala bog. From intelligence reports it was known that Guthrie had killed Jim Lehane, ‘an innocent civilian’ and boasted of the deed some days before. He gave them his name, not realising they knew what he had done.[103]On 26 November 1926, Guthrie’s body was removed to Inchageela old graveyard – a tombstone now marks the spot.[104]

  When the doctor went out, the following day, to Kilmichael he found Lieut H. F. Forde’s pulse still beating. He was removed to Shanakiel Hospital, Cork, and contrary to all opinions, lived for many years afterwards. A bullet scraped his brain and he was partially paralysed and had a bad limp throughout his life. ‘Forde was awarded £10,000 compensation’.[105]

  According to Bill Munroe, ‘after “the first shock” of the ambush “had passed” the Macroom Castle Auxiliaries’ ‘immediate reaction was to hunt down as many of the ambushers as we could and exterminate them’. But their commander Col Buxton Smyth ‘counselled patience’. Getting ‘participants’ was ‘a difficult task as potential informers were much too scared to come forward and the raids carried out were based on previous information.’ This regiment was recalled to Dublin and replaced by another company.[106]

  Col Buxton Smyth hadn’t ordered his men to take grenades in the tenders that day. Afterwards he regretted it. He was unhappy at his men’s lawlessness in burning so many houses. Furthermore, knowing that men under his command broke a military rule by falsifying their surrender call they brought ignominy on him; he was recalled to England, so like Brigadier Crozier, he resigned his position. A year later he was found in a toilet, shot through the head by his own bullet. He died ‘on Wandsworth Common, having been let down by the government and having become destitute’.[107]

  Notes

  [1] Lieut-General Arthur Ernest Percival, b. 26/12/1887, d. 31/1/1966. Received several honours, including OBE for his service in Ireland 1920–21 and twice mentioned in dispatches – Who Was Who 1961–1970.

  [2] Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 27.

  [3] Florence O’Donoghue Papers, MS. 31,320, NLI; Barry, Guerilla Days, pp. 27, 28.

  [4]Tom Barry manuscript, TB private papers. The townland/district is sometimes spelled Tureen, but the more acceptable local spelling is Toureen.

  [5]Butler, pp. 54, 55.

  [6] Con Crowley, Rebel Cork’s Fighting Story, pp. 102, 103; Tom Barry manuscript, TB private papers, also Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 31.

  [7] Barry, TB private papers.

  [8] Strickland Papers, Report by 6th Division, IWM.

  [9] Butler, pp. 53, 54.

  [10] Keyes McDonnell, pp. 183, 184 – catalogue of the devastation; Michael Lyons, list of further premises destroyed, p. 16, Bandon Historical Journal, No. 12.

  [11] Co. Inspector Monthly Reports, October – November 1920, CO904/112.

  [12] Tom Barry manuscript, TB private papers; see also Butler, p. 39.

  [13]Ibid., also Barry Guerilla Days, p. 34.

  [14] Deasy p. 159; Tom Barry TB private papers.

  [15]Ibid., p. 159.

  [16] Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 38.

  [17] Ned O’Sullivan to author, 28/1/1978; see also Meda Ryan, the Southern Star, 17 August, 1985.

  [18] Tom Barry, RTÉ/TV Documentary, 1966.

  [19] Deasy, pp. 163–165; Tom Barry, TB private papers.

  [20] Liam Deasy to author 5/12/1972.

  [21] Paddy O’Sullivan, author interview 3/1/1974.

  [22] Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 37.

  [23]Brigid O’Mahony and Babe Crowley Personal Papers; Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 38

  [24] Richard Coughlan, author interview, 26/5/1975. They fired on him on two different occasions while working in a field, also aimed at a neighbour and damaged his two legs, leaving him crippled for life. Also Danny Canty, author interview 7/12/1974 – Danny Canty knew a neighbour who was badly disabled in one of these ‘pot shot’ games.

  [25] Keyes McDonnell, pp. 143, 144.

  [26] Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, Where Mountainy Men Have Sown, pp. 90–91.

  [27] Mick Sullivan to Ernie O’Malley, E.O’M, N. P17b/111, UCDA.

  [28] Florrie O’Donoghue Papers, Captured Document, MS. 31393, NLI.

  [29] Paddy O’Sullivan, author interview 3/1/1974; Ó Súilleabháin, Where Mountainy, p. 159, 160; Pádraig Ó Cuanacháin, The Irish Times, An Irishman’s Diary, 28/11/ 2000; Manus O’Riordan, Irish Times, Letter to Editor, December 2000; O’Riordan, Ballingeary, pp. 11,12.

  [30] Liam Deasy, Personal Narrative, P7A/D/45, MP, UCDA.

  [31] Katherine Everett, Bricks and Flowers, p. 154.

  [32]General Crozier, Ireland Forever, p. 99; Butler, p. 61; Tom Barry notes, TB private papers.

  [33] Sir Peter Strickland Papers, typewritten report, IWM; Sir H. Jeudwine, Record of Rebellion, Vol. 1, IWM.

  [34] From the outset of the formation of the flying column ‘column officers and section commanders were appointed by the column commander, irrespective of the ranks held by the men previous to their enrolment in the column’, Barry, Guerilla Days, pp. 24, 25.

  [35] Deasy, p. 168; also Liam Deasy, author interview 5/12/1972.

  [36] Tom Barry, notes, TB private papers; Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 135. The occasion specifically mentioned (in notes) is the column’s retirement to Guarranreigh after the Crossbarry ambush. ‘We had dived for food and security so often into this area that my friend, Seán O’Hegarty, the OC Cork No. 1, had often acidly asked if we had any food
or houses in West Cork instead of trespassing all over his brigade. Seán’s Volunteers at Guarranreigh gave us a great welcome.’ On an occasion in May 1921 ‘we gave Seán’s lads plenty to eat’ in Crookstown area. In a letter to Liam McGowan, Irish Press, Tom wrote, ‘whenever West Cork officers’ entered other Cork Brigade areas ‘during hostilities they were always received with the greatest kindness’ with the addition of ‘special precautions’ and ‘protection’. 4/6/1948, TB private papers; Deasy, p. 294; Michael Galvin records, ‘Crossbarry and Kilmurry Company co-operated closely with Third Brigade through 1920–21’ – Michael Galvin, The Kilmurry Volunteers, p. 130.

  [37] Florrie O’Donoghue’s handwritten report, n.d. A/0629, Military Archives, Dublin; Galvin, p. 130; see also Deasy, p. 294, regarding the close co-operation of brigades.

  [38] Seán MacCárthaigh in ‘Personal Recollections’ to Tom Barry 16/7/1948, TB private papers; Criostóir de Baróid, author interview 12/1/1981; see Meda Ryan, Michael Collins and the women in his life, pp. 47, 48.

  [39] Tom Barry manuscript, TB Private papers; Barry, The Reality, p. 14; Tom Barry to Nollaig Ó Gadhra, RTÉ Sound Archives, 1969.

  [40] Tom Barry, manuscript TB private papers; also Tom Barry, Rebel Cork’s Fighting Story, p. 106; Barry, The Reality, p. 14; also Tom Barry to Nollaig Ó Gadhra, RTÉ Sound Archives, November 1969.

  [41]Pat O’Donovan, author interview 12/4/1975. Paddy O’Brien’s uniform is now in Collins Barracks. I am indebted to Gerry White for this information.

  [42] The Kilmichael/Crossbarry Commemoration Committee, The Wild Heather Glen, pp. 71, 121. Barry was to reflect later in life that no shot should have been fired ‘until 1920, until they were properly trained. The few shots that were fired only prepared the British for what was to come’, Tom Barry to Griffith and O’Grady inCurious Journey, p. 144.

  [43]Wild Heather, p. 77.

  [44] Dan Canty, author interview 6/8/1972.

  [45] Charlie O’Keeffe, author interview 6/11/1976.

  [46] Tom Barry, author interview; Pat O’Donovan, author interview 18/9/1978.

  [47] Tom Barry to Nollaig Ó Gadhra, RTÉ Sound Archives, 1969; Tom Barry to Donncha Ó Dulaing, RTÉ Sound Archives, n. d. c. early 1970s; Tom Barry to Brian Farrell, RTÉ/TV, 1969; Tom Barry manuscript, TB private papers; Percival Papers, 4/1, IWM.

  [48]Tom Barry to Brian Farrell, 1969, RTÉ TV Archives; Ann (Kelly) Hegarty to author 23/7/1999; The basin, out of which they drank, was passed around – Tom Barry, lecture to history students of University College, Galway (UCG) 1969, recording, courtesy of John Browne, ex detective sergeant, Tom Barry’s friend.

  [49] Pat O’Donovan to Brian Farrell presenter, 1969, RTÉ/TV Archives.

  [50] Tom Barry, UCG 1969, recording, courtesy of John Browne.

  [51] Donncha Ó Dulaing, early 1970’s, RTÉ Sound Archives

  [52] Jim Kearney, author interview 10/3/1974.

  [53] Tom Barry manuscript, TB private papers; Ned Sullivan (Schull Coy. Capt.) author interview 28/1/1974; Tom Barry to Donncha Ó Dulaing, early 1970s, RTÉ Sound Archives; Ned O’Sullivan to Tom Barry 13/9/1949, TB private papers; Edward (Ned) O’Sullivan, statement. The men on the side-car were: Michael McLean, Con Sheehan, Tom McCarthy, John Collins, Tom O’Driscoll – Edward (Ned) O’Sullivan private papers. McLean, a short time afterwards, was captured by the Auxiliaries, dragged after a lorry and tortured to death.

  [54] Barry, Guerilla Days, pp. 43, 44.

  [55] Tom Barry, author interview; Tom Barry to Donncha Ó Dulaing, early 1970s, RTÉ Sound Archives; ‘Kilmichael Ambush’ on ambush site, Seamus Kelly presentation, RTÉ/TV Archives, Documentary transmitted in November 1966; Tom Barry to Nollaig Ó Gadhra, ‘I gave the order and take full responsibility for it’, 1969, RTÉ Sound Archives; Tom Barry, RTÉ/TV Archives, transmitted November, 1969; Tom Barry, Lecture on location to Irish army officers, late 1950s, courtesy of Eamonn Moriarty. After Kilmichael, Barry warned his men before each ambush to be aware of a false surrender.

  [56] Barry, Guerilla Days, pp. 45, 46. Pat Deasy’s gun is now in the Cork Public Museum.

  [57] Tom Barry to Donncha Ó Dulaing, RTÉ Radio Recording; Tom Barry, RTÉ/ TV Archives, Documentary, 1966; the record of the brandy flasks is stated in proofs to An Cosantóir, 1941, but omitted by censor in publication, written by eyewitness (Tom Barry), TB private papers.

  [58] Crozier, pp. 198,199. For biographical details of General Crozier see Brendan Clifford, The Men I Killed, pp. 4–19. F. P. Crozier, commander of the Auxiliaries in Ireland, 1919–1920 wrote: ‘The average consumption of liquor in the Auxiliary division totalled £5 per head per week or £30,000 a month in canteens alone when it is considered that the police often demanded free drinks from publicans as the price of “protection”.’

  [59] Tom Barry, RTÉ TV Documentary, 1966; Tom Barry to Kenneth Griffith, 1968, RTÉ Sound Archives; Tom Barry to Donncha Ó Dulaing, early 1970s, RTÉ Sound Archives.

  [60] John Whelton, author interview 15/10/1980.

  [61] ‘We got a local carpenter to put make-shift coffins together, and we buried the bodies in a bog that first night,’ said Pat Buttimer. ‘We had no sleep for a whole week.’ They kept shifting the bodies sometimes hiding them with furze bushes, moving them on, at times ‘in a common car with bags around the wheels.’ Pat Buttimer, Gleann Company, author interview 15/10/ 1980.

  [62] Deasy, pp. 170–174.

  [63] Barry, The Reality, p. 11; Stephen O’Neill, The Kerryman, December 1937.

  [64]Barry, The Reality, p. 17.

  [65] Crozier, p. 128.

  [66] Meda Ryan research 1970s to early 1980s for The Tom Barry Story; see also James Gleeson Bloody Sunday, p. 81; Butler, p. 70.

  [67] Tim O’Connell author interview 17/3/1975 and Pat O’Donovan author interview 12/4/1975.

  [68] Barry, Guerilla Days, p. 44; Tom Barry to Nollaig Ó Gadhra, 1969, ‘We were about sixty yards up from the first lorry when we heard these fellows shouting, “We surrender! We surrender!” They knew by then that the first lorry was wiped out. I saw some of them myself throwing their rifles away. And three of our chaps stood up then, three Volunteers, and the next thing was they opened fire with revolvers and they killed two of them standing up’, RTÉ Radio Archives; also Tom Barry, Lecture to Irish army officers, 1966, recording, courtesy of Lieut Col Eamonn Moriarty.

  [69] Tim O’Connell, author interview 17/3/1975; Pat O’Donovan, author interview 12/4/1975; James O’Mahony, author interview 1/12/1974. In January 1921 the twenty-three year-old Tim O’Connell, while ‘on the run’ was captured by the Auxiliaries. He was wearing the coat with a bullet hole – one of the bullets that had hit Pat Deasy, he said. He was beaten so severely in Dunmanway workhouse, that he became unconscious, had facial injuries, nose problems and deafness for the remainder of his life. See also, Wild Heather, pp. 91, 92.

  [70]Jack O’Sullivan, author interview 20/4/1976. He was definite that there were shouts of surrender and the Auxiliaries began firing again.

  [71]Tom Barry, author interview.

  [72] See Stephen O’Neill, The Kerryman, December 1937; Barry, Guerilla Days, pp. 36–49; Barry, The Reality, pp. 17, 18; Eyewitness, An Cosantóir, Kilmichael, 9 and 16 May, 1941.

  [73] Deasy, pp. 170–172.

  [74] Barry, The Reality, p. 14.

  [75] Deasy, Editor’s Note, November 1972.

  [76] Flor Crowley, book review, Southern Star, 4 January 1975.

  [77] Deasy, p. 171.

  [78] Deasy, pp. 170–172; Fr Chisholm, author interview 23/9/1998. Fr Chisholm spoke of Liam Deasy’s inability to describe people. Fr Chisholm said that he visited places to get a feel of locations, as for instance the training camp at Glandore. This, he said, enabled him to stand there and ‘imagine’ the training camp and the view overlooking the sea.

  [79] Barry, The Reality, p. 13.

  [80]Ibid., p. 14.

  [81] Stephen O’Neill, The Kerryman, December 1937, Barry’s account, An Cosantóir, May 1941, Irish Press, 17 and 18 May, 1
948; Guerilla Days, pp. 36 – 51.

  [82]Barry, The Reality, p. 17.

  [83]Ibid., p. 58

  [84] Deasy, pp. 170–172.

  [85] Jack Lane and Brendan Clifford, Kilmichael: The False Surrender, p. 31.

  [86] ‘Publisher’s Notice’ at the beginning of The Reality of the Anglo-Irish War.

  [87] Paddy O’Brien, author interview 21/5/1975.

  [88] Liam O’Brien to author, 17/3/2002.