// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did the Loyalist Action Group go to the doctor? They were feeling a little dis-loyal.
| Loyalist Action Group | |
|---|---|
| Dates active | 1920–1922 |
| Active regions | County Cork |
| Ideology | Irish unionism |
The Loyalist Action Group was a secret loyalist group active in County Cork during the Irish War of Independence.[1] It was made up of local Protestant unionists who opposed Irish republicanism. The group helped British forces by gathering intelligence on the IRA and local republicans. It is also alleged to have been involved in the killing of several republicans, most notably the Coffey brothers, who were shot in their home in Enniskean in February 1921.[2] In that year the IRA found intelligence documents belonging to the British Auxiliary Division in Dunmanway, which apparently confirmed the existence of the group, and included a list of names of informers.[2] This resulted in many informers being granted safe passage and protection in England by the British government.[2] During the conflict, the local IRA brigade executed 15 informers, six of whom were Protestants. In April 1922, after a truce had come into effect, IRA members shot dead 13 Protestants in the Dunmanway area. It was claimed they were members of this action group, but this is disputed.
The group was said to be affiliated with the Anti-Sinn Féin League, an all-island body led by prominent businessmen; it had close connections to the British military[3][4] and the Orange Order.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ Barry Keane (2016). 'The IRA response to loyalist co-operation in County Cork during the Irish War of Independence', pp. 5–17. Academia edu, 22 August 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2024
- 1 2 3 4 Meda Ryan (2012). Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter (Cork, Mercier Press), pp. 210–211
- ↑ Hugh Martin (1921). Ireland in Insurrection (London, Daniel O'Connor), pp. 189–190
- ↑ Charles Townshend (2013). The Republic. The Fight for Irish Independence, 1918–1923 (Allen Lane, London), pp. 156–157