General Eoin O’Duffy

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Eoin O’Duffy was born in Ulster, near Castleblaney in County Monaghan. Trained initially as an engineer he later became an auctioneer. He became interested in Irish politics and joined Sinn Féin, later becoming a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Background

During the War of Independence, O’ Duffy commanded the Monaghan Brigade and in February 1920 he successfully captured the RIC barracks at Ballytrain taking from it weapons and explosives. Also present at this victory was Ernie O’ Malley who went on to organize flying columns and the socialist guerrilla fighter Peadar O’ Donnell.

Politics

In the general election of 1921, he became TD for Monaghan. By 1922, O’ Duffy had been promoted to Chief of Staff of the IRA and was one of Michael Collins foremost supporters when he accepted the Anglo-Irish Treaty and fought in the civil war as a general of the Free State Army. As commander of the 2nd Northern Division of the IRA, he saw action in Belfast when defending Catholic ghettoes from attacks by Protestant pogromists. He was also to lead the Free State forces into Limerick city.