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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 tbe Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Background

During tbe War of Independence, O’ Duffy commanded tbe Monaghan Brigade and in February 1920 he successfully captured tbe 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 tbe socialist guerrilla fighter Peadar O’ Donnell.

Politics

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


References