Ambush historian under fire

THE unfounded and inaccurate allegations made by Peter Hart regarding the manner in which Tom Barry conducted the ambush at Kilmichael on November, 28, 1920 were again challenged by Meda Ryan, author of 'Tom Barry, IRA Freedom Fighter'.

This occurred at ceremonies marking the 84th anniversary of the historic ambush on Sunday, November 28 last.

At the event, which attracted much media attention, a large attendance listened attentively as Ms Ryan outlined in detail the happenings of that fateful day 84 years ago.

Turning to Peter Hart’s description of the ambush, she exposed the inaccuracies in his account with research findings from her publication showing that he relied to a great extent on British sources that have been found to be flawed and merely wartime propaganda. Regarding Hart’s interviews with two men who he claims participated in the ambush, Meda Ryan questioned why such men would wish to remain anonymous, and why the author does not name them?

He claims to have carried out one interview in 1988 and another one with a scout on November, 19, 1989. It is an established fact that the last survivor of the ambush at Kilmichael died on November 13, 1989.

Evidence from many sources show that the British Auxiliaries called a false surrender in the course of the ambush and then renewed their firing by shooting three of Barry’s riflemen.

In the interest of historical accuracy and in justice and fairness to the memory of Tom Barry and his comrades, I call again on Peter Hart to name the men he claims to have interviewed so that the long established facts relating to the ambush can be upheld.

Seán Ó Céilleachair

Rúnaí

Kilmichael and Crossbarry Commemoration Committee

Cillfhiontain

Droichead na Banndan

Co Chorcaí