Regiee Dunne and Joe O’Sullivan
‘My story’ – a letter from Reggie Dunne to the IRA – is currently on display in Reading Prison as part of an Oscar Wilde exhibition on imprisonment.
You can listen to a recording of the story here – https://reducedlistening1.app.box.com/s/259nh7iymoob5cko9o16sgbendupn2f3
Background
On 22nd June 1922, Sir Henry Wilson, a Northern Ireland MP, and chief security advisor to the newly-established Northern Ireland state, was assassinated in broad daylight by Irish republicans outside his London home.
Two men, English-born of Irish parents, were charged with his killing.
Reggie Dunne and Joe O’Sullivan were former British soldiers who had both been wounded in France, O’Sullivan losing a leg at Ypres.
In Southern Ireland the IRA had split over the terms of the recent Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Michael, or Mick Collins, headed a provisional government against a breakaway IRA garrison led by Rory O’Connor which wanted to fight on.
Then came the assassination of Wilson.
There is a link here to Classiebawn Castle built for Palmerston on what was a 10,000 acre estate near the Mullaghmore peninsula. The land, which once belonged to the O’Connors of Silgo, was confiscated by the English parliament. In 1916 the house was cleared and remained empty until 1950. It was inherited by Edwina Mountbatten.
Fantastic piece of Irish History Thank You Jude
Failte romhat, Jim…
Fascinating Jude. Thanks for posting that sound file
Failte romhat, Eddie
Sums up the balls up,doesn’t it?
Excellent insight into our history. Thank you Jude.
Go déanaigh Dia trócaire ar laochra na hÉireann
Gtma, Hugh
Fascinating piece of history….Mountbatten got a muck softer ending than these brave volunteers.