Smith evokes Dev’s legendary comeback remark

WORDS used by Éamon de Valera at a public meeting in Ennis, Co Clare, 87 years ago, had an echo in Clonakilty, Co Cork, yesterday.

Mr de Valera was addressing his supporters from a general election platform in O’Connell Square, Ennis, on August 15, 1923, when it was surrounded by Free State troops. He was arrested and held in prison for 11 months.

Sometime after his release, he returned to Ennis and resumed his speech at another public meeting with the preface: “Well, as I was saying to you when we were interrupted.”