Irish politics changed totally in a few short years. It was very common for young men to join the RIC pre 1916. They also joined the Army Navy, Civil Service etc. Many of these held nationalistic views. They wanted Home Rule for Ireland. there were many views on how that should operate. It is however fair to say that only a minority wanted total separation from Britain in the early years of the 20th century. The majority would have been satisfied with some connection or union with Britain. 1916 and what followed changed all that. The actions of the British establishment and of the Army, Black and Tans etc alienated the populace all over the country. There was a tendency/policy of the Military and the Tans to treat all of the natives as rebels who could be coerced into subjection. This is a policy that never works anywhere. See what happens in Gaza and other places. These actions drove people into the arms of the rebels. By 1922 Britain could no longer hold the Country regardless of what troops they put unto the field. The RIC were unfortunate victims of all of this. For the most part they were decent men who did not subscribe to repressive policies. However many had to think of their dependents. The IRA did not offer them much of a choice. It was true that many families with members of the IRA, RIC and Army. It is often difficult to draw clear black and white conclusions about anything. There are so many shades of grey. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: 12 May 2009 20:46 To: [email protected] Subject: James O'Donoghue RIC Hi Jack, I have met Peter Hart, I have another relation who was involved in the Kilmichael ambush. James daughter Marie who later became principle of Laurel Hill in Limerick, she became a Nun, interviewed the people and family's who were involved in the killing, they are known as Maria's Diaries, Peter Hart refers to them in his book, my cousin Ethinne now has the diaries, she is married to Professor Peter Barry of Trinity College Dublin. On the night my granduncle was murdered there was a lot of retribution that night, 3 IRA members were shot dead by the RIC, this was the old IRA not to be confused with the modern edition. I suppose I have to ask the question why on one side of my family family members were joining the RIC and on the other side they were involved in subversive activities. I suppose that was Irish politics at the time. Brendan ----- "Jack Crowley" <[email protected]> wrote: > This man gets a mention in "The IRA and its enemies" by Peter Hart. > http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/0198208065/ref=sib_fs_top?ie=UTF8&p=S00K&c > heckSum=rxqeGNsdXz81s7WBJ2retomHLscqc9rR%2BfOub0FF%2F54%3D#reader-link > > There is some dispute about Hart and his research. I have read a claim > that > he could not have conducted an interview he refers to regarding Ned > Young, > Tom Barry and the Kilmichael Ambush > > >