Tom Barry was not a war criminal

I refer to Michael Clifford’s article: ‘Seeing the past through different prism’ (Irish Examiner, Aug 24).

How can Mr Clifford, having acknowledged the appalling human rights abuses of the auxiliaries in this country, stoop so low as to accuse Tom Barry and his men of a war crime.

Where is the evidence?

Is Mr Clifford not aware of the courage and commitment of Barry and his comrades in protecting the people of mid- and West Cork, and confronting the auxiliaries at Kilmichael?

Barry said beforehand that the Kilmichael ambush would be a fight to the finish; either the column would win or the auxiliaries would gain the upper-hand.

Does Mr Clifford understand that it was a war to gain independence for Ireland? If the British government had accepted the result of the 1918 general election, which showed a substantial majority of the people in favour of independence, and recognised the first Dáil Éireann in Jan 1919, then, perhaps, a physical-force campaign to gain independence may not have been necessary.

Mr Clifford says that Peter Hart’s account of the ambush has been partly discredited. Let me remind the writer that Hart’s account of the ambush is discredited.

Regarding the proposed development of the Kilmichael ambush site, Clifford’s comments are mischievous and unfounded.

They will not be reproduced here.

Mr Clifford’s article shows a lack of understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by the men and women of the 1919-21 period in our history, to gain independence for our country; an independence that has only been partly achieved.

I wish to let you know, Mr Clifford, that the Kilmichael and Crossbarry Commemoration Committee has been remembering the boys of Kilmichael, and the women who supported them, for many years, in a dignified manner and will continue to do so in the future.

Glorification of the ambush victory is not part of our modus operandi.

We, the members of the Kilmichael and Crossbarry Commemoration Committee and Kilmichael Historical Society, wish to assure everyone that the main purpose of the proposed development is to bring to life the story of the Kilmichael ambush, for the many visitors to the site, to illustrate its importance and significance in the War of Independence, and to perpetuate the memory of the boys of Kilmichael.

Seán Ó Céilleachair

PRO Kilmichael Development Task Group

Bandon

Co Cork