Page 12 - Defence Forces Pictorial History

1922/1923
Civil War
Óglaigh na hÉireann
The Defence Forces

he Anglo-Irish Treaty, negotiated during the truce and
signed on 6 December 1921, caused deep divisions within
T nationalist Ireland. Those who favoured acceptance
argued that the powers it granted made it worthy of support and
the only alternative was renewed war with Britain. The Treatys
opponents criticised it most for its failure to achieve the status
of a republic for Ireland.

Debates in the Dáil on the Treaty became bitter and personal.
The Anti-Treaty IRA seized barracks and public buildings as
British civil servants and troops departed. Field Marshal Sir
Henry Wilson was shot in London on 22 June 1922 and as a
result the British Government insisted that the Irish Government
take action against the Anti-Treaty IRA or it would consider the
Treaty to have been broken.

On 28 June 1922 the National Army, as the Pro-Treaty IRA
now become known, bombarded the Four Courts in Dublin
which was occupied by the Anti-Treaty forces leadership. The
Civil War had begun. After a period of conventional warfare
the Anti-Treaty side reverted to a guerrilla campaign. This was
accompanied by assassinations and the destruction of buildings,
bridges and other installations. The Provisional Government
adopted special powers and executed 77 prisoners before the
opponents of the Treaty called a cease-fre on 24 May 1923. As
many as 4,000 were killed during the Civil War.

A Pictorial History of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces of Ireland