ANTI-TREATY CAMPAIGN … and Mr. Michael Comyn, K.C. Mr. Lemass said Liam Tobin and Charles Dalton had accepted the Treaty only as a stepping-stone to the achievement of the Republic, and now when they had spoken out they had been obliged to go on the run. Mr. Comyn said the …Published: Monday 10 March 1924 Newspaper: Freeman’s Journal County: Dublin, Republic of Ireland

The excerpt you provided refers to a report in the Freeman’s Journal from March 10, 1924, concerning the Anti-Treaty campaign in Ireland, specifically mentioning Michael Comyn, K.C., Mr. Lemass (likely Seán Lemass), Liam Tobin, and Charles Dalton. This appears to be related to the Irish Army Mutiny of 1924, a significant event following the Irish Civil War (1922–1923). Below is a detailed response based on the context and available historical information.Context of the Anti-Treaty Campaign and the 1924 Army Mutiny. The Anti-Treaty campaign refers to the efforts of those who opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which established the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Empire. The treaty caused a split within the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Sinn Féin, leading to the Irish Civil War between the pro-Treaty National Army and the Anti-Treaty IRA, who saw the treaty as a betrayal of the Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916. By 1924, the Civil War had ended with a victory for the pro-Treaty side, but tensions persisted, particularly among former IRA members who felt the Free State government was not pursuing full republican ideals.The Irish Army Mutiny of March 1924 was a crisis within the National Army, led by figures like Liam Tobin and Charles Dalton, who were dissatisfied with the Free State’s policies, including the demobilization of the army and the perceived failure to achieve a united, fully independent Ireland. The mutiny was not a direct continuation of the Anti-Treaty campaign but reflected lingering divisions from the Civil War, as some pro-Treaty veterans, like Tobin and Dalton, felt betrayed by the government’s direction. Key Figures Mentioned

1. Michael Comyn, K.C.:
   • Michael Comyn was a prominent Irish barrister and King’s Counsel (K.C.) who supported the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War. He was involved in legal proceedings and public discussions related to republican causes, including defending Anti-Treaty figures. His mention in the Freeman’s Journal likely relates to his role in advocating for or commenting on the mutiny or the broader republican agenda.
2. Mr. Lemass (Seán Lemass):
   • Seán Lemass was a key Anti-Treaty IRA figure during the Civil War and later a leading politician in Fianna Fáil, the party formed by Anti-Treaty republicans in 1926. His brother, Noel Lemass, was killed by Free State forces in 1923, which deepened his animosity toward the pro-Treaty government. In the context of the 1924 mutiny, Lemass’s statement suggests he was highlighting the disillusionment of former pro-Treaty figures like Tobin and Dalton, who had initially supported the treaty but were now critical of the Free State’s policies.
3. Liam Tobin:
   • Liam Tobin was a senior IRA intelligence officer during the War of Independence and a key figure in Michael Collins’s intelligence network. He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty and joined the National Army during the Civil War. However, by 1924, Tobin was disillusioned with the Free State government’s demobilization plans and its failure to pursue a fully independent republic. He led the Irish Republican Army Organisation (IRAO), a group of disaffected National Army officers, in the 1924 mutiny. The Freeman’s Journal report indicates that Tobin had to “go on the run” due to his involvement in the mutiny, reflecting the government’s crackdown on the mutineers.
4. Charles Dalton:
   • Charles (Charlie) Dalton, brother of Emmet Dalton, was another IRA intelligence officer who worked closely with Michael Collins during the War of Independence. Like Tobin, he supported the treaty and served in the National Army but became involved in the 1924 mutiny due to similar grievances. His association with controversial actions, such as the Red Cow Murders of 1922 (where he was suspected of ordering the execution of three Anti-Treaty youths), made him a polarizing figure. The Freeman’s Journal report suggests that both he and Tobin were vocal about their dissatisfaction with the Free State, leading to their need to evade authorities.

The Freeman’s Journal and Its Role

The Freeman’s Journal, a Dublin-based newspaper, was historically pro-nationalist but supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty during the Civil War. By 1924, it was often critical of Anti-Treaty republicans, though it also reported on tensions within the pro-Treaty side, such as the Army Mutiny. The newspaper’s coverage of Comyn and Lemass’s statements reflects its role in documenting the ongoing political and military divisions in Ireland. However, Anti-Treaty forces had previously targeted the Freeman’s Journal for its pro-Treaty stance, including seizing and burning copies in 1922, as noted in historical accounts.

The 1924 Army Mutiny

The Army Mutiny occurred between March 7–18, 1924, led by Liam Tobin’s IRAO. It was sparked by the Free State government’s plans to reduce the size of the National Army after the Civil War, which many officers saw as a betrayal of their service. Tobin and Dalton, among others, issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding a halt to demobilization and a commitment to a united Ireland. The Freeman’s Journal excerpt suggests that Lemass and Comyn were framing Tobin and Dalton’s actions as a continuation of their original republican ideals, despite their earlier support for the treaty. The mutiny was resolved without violence, affirming civilian control over the military, and the government arrested several mutineers, though Tobin and Dalton reportedly went into hiding.

Analysis of the Excerpt

The Freeman’s Journal report highlights the complex dynamics of post-Civil War Ireland:

• Lemass’s Statement: By claiming that Tobin and Dalton supported the treaty only as a “stepping-stone” to a republic, Lemass was likely attempting to align their mutiny with the Anti-Treaty cause, portraying their disillusionment as evidence that the Free State had failed to deliver on republican aspirations. This reflects the Anti-Treaty strategy of capitalizing on pro-Treaty discontent to bolster their own position.
• Comyn’s Role: As a barrister, Comyn may have been defending or publicly supporting the mutineers, emphasizing their republican credentials to challenge the Free State’s legitimacy. His involvement suggests legal or public advocacy for those opposing the government’s policies.
• Tobin and Dalton’s Flight: The mention of Tobin and Dalton being “on the run” indicates the government’s response to the mutiny was swift, forcing key figures to evade arrest. This underscores the Free State’s determination to suppress dissent, even from former allies.

Broader Implications

The 1924 Army Mutiny and the Anti-Treaty campaign’s aftermath illustrate the deep divisions in Irish society following the Civil War. The mutiny exposed cracks within the pro-Treaty side, as figures like Tobin and Dalton, who had fought for the Free State, grew frustrated with its compromises. Meanwhile, Anti-Treaty figures like Lemass and Comyn sought to exploit these tensions to maintain pressure on the government. The Freeman’s Journal article captures a moment when these divisions were publicly aired, contributing to the ongoing bitterness that shaped Irish politics for decades, particularly through the rivalry between Fine Gael (pro-Treaty) and Fianna Fáil (Anti-Treaty).

Sources

• Information on the Irish Civil War and the 1924 Army Mutiny is drawn from historical accounts, including Wikipedia’s entries on the Irish Civil War and 1924 in Ireland.
• Details on the Freeman’s Journal and its treatment by Anti-Treaty forces are sourced from RTÉ’s analysis of press and propaganda during the Treaty split.
• Context on the Red Cow Murders and Charles Dalton’s involvement is based on The Irish Story’s article on the topic.

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Google AI:

As the victims were first formally taken prisoner and logged at Wellington Barracks, National Army officers were identified by name at the Inquest, where Republican counsel Michael Comyn called on the jury to reach a verdict of wilful murder against Charlie Dalton, who could then be charged with the killings.22 Nov 2017

The statement describes events surrounding the Red Cow murders in Dublin in 1922, where victims were initially taken prisoner and logged at Wellington Barracks. During an inquest, National Army officers were identified by name, and Republican counsel Michael Comyn called for the jury to return a verdict of wilful murder against Charlie Dalton, suggesting he could then be charged with the killings. Dalton was briefly arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).