NCJ Number
62571
Date Published
1959
Length
228 pages
Annotation
THIS HISTORY FOLLOWS THE ENGLISH RECRUITS TO THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY, NICKNAMED THE BLACK AND TANS, FROM THEIR ARRIVAL IN 1920 TO THEIR WITHDRAWAL AND FINAL DISBANDING IN 1922.
Abstract
THE IRISH MOVEMENT FOR HOME RULE FEATURED WIDESPREAD BURNING OF TAX DOCUMENTS, HUNGER STRIKES, AND IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) RAIDS ON COASTGUARD STATIONS. THE FOUNDING OF THE IRA UNDER MICHAEL COLLINS AND THE FORMATION OF FLYING COLUMNS OR GUERILLA BANDS COINCIDED WITH THE GROWING DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS OF THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY (RIC) AND THE ADDITIONAL RECRUITMENT OF RIC FORCES UNDER COL. WINTER, CHIEF OF COMBINED INTELLIGENCE SERVICES. INCIDENTS THAT GREATLY EXACERBATED THE SITUATION INCLUDED THE SHOOTING AT THE DUBLIN BAKERY, THE BLACK AND TAN SACK OF BALBRIGGAN, THE IRA EXECUTION OF 14 PRESUMED SECRET SERVICE OR INTELLIGENCE AGENTS, AND THE BLACK AND TAN PHOENIX PARK MASSACRE WHICH INVOLVED THE KILLING OF 12 PERSONS. THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT WHICH ESTABLISHED SEPARATE PARLIAMENTS FOR THE 6 NORTHERN AND 26 SOUTHERN COUNTIES), CONTINUED IRA INSURRECTION, THE END OF RIC RECRUITMENTS AND FINAL WITHDRAWALS OF THE BLACK AND TANS IN 1921, AND THE DISBANDING OF VOLUNTEERS IN 1922, ARE DESCRIBED. THE ANGLO-IRISH TREATY WAS SIGNED IN DECEMEBER 1921 AS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF NEGOTATIONS LEADING TO THE FINAL SEVERANCE OF THE IRISH FREE STATE FROM THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IN 1949. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)