fight for Ireland's freedom and also gave them the courage to accept defeat and the reality that the long dreamed of Republic was an unrealistic dream towards the end of the Civil War. Being the first Republican T.D. to enter the Dáil he was showing that a man of violence was more than able to accept the concept of politics, rather than the gun, to achieve his aims. Dan Breen is one of the greatest patriots that Tipperary has ever produced. His heroic deeds should never be forgotten and his switch from the gun to politics should be seen as the only way forward in the continuing struggle for Irish Independence, which Dan and his gallant comrades contributed so courageously to.

Dinny Lacey was born at Attybrick, which is in the parish of Annacarty, Co. Tipperary, in 1890. He came from a farming background.

He joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood (I.R.B.) when he was in his early teens and was one of the first men to join the Irish Volunteer Force (I.V.F.) in Tipperary town.

He worked in D'Alton's Coal Merchants, in Tipperary town, as a manager/clerk prior to the War of Independence. He was 5' 9" tall and had the springy step of an athlete.

He was well versed in matters of national importance and extremely cynical of the politicians who never seemed to do anything except talk. He was a strict non smoker, non drinker and a devout Catholic.

He was appointed Officer Commanding (O.C.) Flying Column No. 1, Third Tipperary Brigade, in October 1920. He led this Column throughout the War of Independence. This Column was involved in the Thomastown Ambush and the capture of District Inspector Potter (Royal Irish Constabulary).

Dinny Lacey went on to fight in the Civil War on the Republican side. When Seamus Robinson was appointed O.C. of the 2nd Southern Division Dinny Lacey was appointed O.C. of the Third Tipperary Brigade, a post he was to hold until his death on February 18th, 1923.

On February 17, 1923, Dinny Lacey with a Column of sixteen men left Mount Bruis. They reached Ballydavid (Bansha side of the Glen of Aherlow) later that evening. Dinny Lacey was on his way to meet, at their request, representatives from the Association of Neutral ex-Officers of the I.R.A. from South Tipperary, who wanted to discuss peace proposals with him. Dinny Lacey arranged to meet the members of his Column the following day at Rossadrehid. He sent his men to prearranged billets at "Ashgrove House" and other houses in the district. Dinny Lacey, Vice-Commandant Paddy McDonagh and Captain Bill Allen stayed overnight at Rody Ryan's, Ballydavid.

At the same time, unknown to Dinny Lacey and his Column a large force of Free-State troops were preparing to encircle the area around the Glen of Aherlow in order to carry out the most extensive roundup operation ever in South Tipperary. There was approximately one thousand Free-State officers and men, drawn from Cahir, Cashel, Clonmel and Tipperary town involved in the operation. The Glen of Aherlow was surrounded by columns of Free-State troops moving in from all sides simultaneously.  At approximately 10am Dinny Lacey heard firing coming from the direction of "Ashgrove House". He quickly realised that his men must be under attack. He prepared, along with his two companions to go to their aid. However, as they left the house they noticed a column of Free-State troops advancing towards them. Dinny Lacey opened fire through the front parlour window and Bill Allen fired through the kitchen window. The Free-State troops surrounded the house. Paddy McDonagh was caught in a crossfire and was wounded in the hip and as a result fell to the ground bleeding badly. During the fighting another column of Free-State troops appeared on the road about one hundred yards from the house. They were armed with rifles and also had a Lewis machine-gun.  Dinny Lacey and Bill Allen opened fire on them when they had moved into range. The Lewis machine-gun was turned on the doorway and kitchen window of the house. This made the position within the house difficult to defend.