Irish Civil War: A hallmark of the conflict was its tragedy of errors

A vast arsenal of guns was handed over to untrained young men. Small wonder so many deaths happened by accident

Alongside veterans of the First World War and the War of Independence, a host of barely-trained young men were handed an astonishing number of weapons during Ireland's Civil War. File Picture: Topical Press/Getty

THE Irish Civil War was in its 12th week when Private James Guinan, a member of the National Army of the Free State, went on duty with two columns of troops in the area of Bushfield, Tipperary. 

After a long day in the area of the Arra Mountains on the banks of the Shannon, Guinan returned to his quarters and lay on his bed for a well-earned rest.