I.R.A. Goes All Out to Neutralise Enemy Intelligence

The year 1919 was almost entirely dedicated by Tomas MacCurtain and his staff to training, organisation of special services, raids for arms and sporadic attacks on military and police personnel. Above all it was the period in which the military situation was assessed and future strategy decided. 

It was difficult to be optimistic about their chances of success. Although the Volunteers were ardent, disciplined and enthusiastic they were un­trained in combat and pitifully short of arms. Opposed to them was the British governmental and military machine, with huge resources of per­sonnel, arms and money. British Military Headquarters was Victoria Barracks, Cork, with a permanent garrison of two infantry battalions, Divisional Headquarters and special services. 

Police head­quarters was at Union Quay and other city barracks were based at Barrack Street, Elizabeth Fort, Douglas, Blackrock, South Infirmary Road, King Street, Togher, Tuckey Street, Bridewell, Sundays Well, North Abbey Street, Watercourse Road, St. Luke's and Commons Road. As elsewhere in Ireland, the R.I.C. men were the eyes and ears of the British Administration, and so their elimination became a primary objective of I.R.A. strategy.

In the opening days of 1920 the conflict began in earnest. From the start, the I.R.A. went all out for its ob­jectives-the crippling of enemy intelligence, the destruction of local R.I.C. posts, the smashing of British Civil Administration and the infliction of the maximum damage and casualties on enemy forces. From now on Cork No. 1 Brigade was in action almost continuously and the newspaper files of the time reveal an unbroken series of attacks on police barracks and police In­telligence personnel, ambushes of military and police, raids on mails and dispatches, capture of enemy military stores and attacks on military patrols. 

The enemy retaliated by raids, arrests and terror tactics against civilians. In Cork city there existed a Unionist minority as well as a significant "garrison clique" who were loyal to the Crown. They combined to form a civilian branch of British In­telligence, but by and large their impact was limited. Those proven to have passed information to the enemy were executed.  

Overall, support for the Irish Re­publican Army at this time was remarkable. Cork is a small city where many people are known to one another. The I.R.A. leaders were known by name and appearance to thousands, but they were never betrayed.