25 Irish saved fighting fascism

The leader of the Irish who fought against fascism in Spain sent 25 men home fearing more loss of life, records from Russia revealed.

Frank Ryan from Knocklong, Co Limerick, played an important role within the International Brigades which confronted General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War from 1936.

Comintern papers from Moscow have given a revealing insight into the role of 230 Irish who sided with the communists in Spain.