Slowly throughout 1919 Michael Collins had been expanding his intelligence operation, but the suppression of Dáil Éireann and a close escape in a British raid galvanised him into action. On the 19th of September 1919 he formally established “The Squad” who would become famed in the conflict ahead for striking terror into the hearts of British IntelligenceIn and crippling their ability to function in Ireland. Many however would go on to be greatly changed by their service and would act with cruelty and barbarity during the Civil War. In this episode I look at the later events of some of those who would form the backbone of the Squad.

References:

Paddy Daly - BMH WS387 Con Leddy - BMH WS756

T. Ryle Dwyer - “The Squad” Leon O’Broin - “Revolutionary Underground” Peter Hart - “Mick; The Real Michael Collins” Richard Abbott - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

https://www.customhousecommemoration.com/2017/10/14/truth-lies-revenge-the-squad-asu-and-the-intelligence-office-and-more/ https://comeheretome.com/2013/11/07/jewish-community-during-the-revolutionary-period-1916-23/

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Main Sources: Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland Atlas of the Irish Revolution Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom” Charles Townshend - "The Republic" Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence” Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Photos: Military Archives NLI Flickr account Wiki Commons