The Sound of silence


Sean Norton
Interviewed for MAOHP - 30/01/2017
Reference Code: IE_MA_MAC_006_MAOHP_003_F
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 0.29

Colonel Seán Norton enlisted in the Irish Army in January 1955 at the age of nineteen. Sixty-two years later, he sat down at Cathal Brugha Barracks to offer his memories to the MAOHP. In December 1961, Colonel Norton was one of three Platoon Commanders at the Battle of the Tunnel in which two Irish soldiers were killed, including one of the Platoon Commanders, Lieutenant Paddy O'Riordan. Norton was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his role in the battle. In this short piece of audio, Colonel Norton reflects on the lack of interest within the army towards the battle when he returned, which he characterised as ‘the sound of silence’.


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