Richard Barrett (Irish Republican)
Encyclopedia
Richard Barrett (1899 – 8 December 1922) was a prominent Irish Republican Army
volunteer who was executed during the Irish Civil War
in 1922.
in 1899. He was educated at a local national school and went on to become a teacher. He was an IRA
brigade staff officer and occasionally acted as brigade commandmant of the West Cork Brigade during the War of Independence
. Dick also managed to organise fund raising activities for comrades 'on the run'. In 1920 he was appointed quartermaster of the West Cork Brigade: after the Crossbarry Ambush
. Dick was arrested March 1921 and imprisoned in Cork jail, later being sent to Spike Island, County Cork
. He escaped during the truce of 1921
by row boat alongside Moss (Maurice) Twomey
, Tom Crofts and Bill Quirke.
refusal of authority to the Dail
(civil government of the Irish Republic declared in 1919). He was opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty
, calling for the elimination of English influence in Ireland. In April, 1922 under the command of Rory O'Connor
, Barrett, along with 200 other hardline anti-treaty men, took over the Four Courts
building in the centre of Dublin in defiance of the new Irish government. They wanted to provoke British troops, who were still in the country, into attacking them. They hoped this would re-start the war with Britain and re-unite the IRA against their common enemy. Michael Collins
tried desperately to persuade O'Connor and his men to leave the building before fighting broke out. In June 1922, after the Four Courts garrison had kidnapped J.J. O'Connell, a general in the new Free State
Army, Collins shelled the Four Courts with borrowed British artillery in what became known as the Battle of Dublin. O'Connor surrendered following two days of fighting, and Barrett with 200 or so anti treaty IRA members, was arrested and held in Mountjoy Gaol Prison. This incident sparked the Irish Civil War
- as fighting broke out around the country between pro and anti treaty factions.
, Liam Mellows
and Joe McKelvey
by the Irish Free State
in revenge for the IRA's killing of TD
Sean Hales
. One significant member from each province was executed, Barrett representing Munster
. Ironically, Barrett was a member of the same IRA brigade as Hales during the Anglo-Irish War and both were childhood friends. The executions were ordered by Justice Minister Kevin O'Higgins
. In reprisal for O'Higgin's role in the executions, the Anti-Treaty IRA murdered his father and burned his family home in Stradbally, County Laois
. Anti-treaty members would later assassinate O'Higgins as well. (See also Executions during the Irish Civil War
). Barrett is now buried in his home county Cork following the government's exhumation and re-interment.
A poem about the execution was written by Galway
clergyman Pádraig de Brún
.he died in 1992
Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)
The original Irish Republican Army fought a guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland in the Irish War of Independence 1919–1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the IRA in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and...
volunteer who was executed during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
in 1922.
War of Independence
Barrett was born in Hollyhill, CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1899. He was educated at a local national school and went on to become a teacher. He was an IRA
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
brigade staff officer and occasionally acted as brigade commandmant of the West Cork Brigade during the War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
. Dick also managed to organise fund raising activities for comrades 'on the run'. In 1920 he was appointed quartermaster of the West Cork Brigade: after the Crossbarry Ambush
Crossbarry Ambush
The Crossbarry Ambush occurred on 19 March 1921 and was one of the largest engagements of the Irish War of Independence. It took place at the rural crossroads of Crossbarry, County Cork, around 20 km south west of Cork city. About a hundred Irish Republican Army volunteers escaped an attempt...
. Dick was arrested March 1921 and imprisoned in Cork jail, later being sent to Spike Island, County Cork
Spike Island, County Cork
Spike Island is an island of 103 Acres in Cork Harbour, Ireland.It was significant in the French intervention following the Glorious Revolution, and was later purchased by the British government in 1779 – becoming the site of Fort Westmoreland...
. He escaped during the truce of 1921
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
by row boat alongside Moss (Maurice) Twomey
Moss (Maurice) Twomey
Moss ' Twomey was an Irish republican and chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army .-Early life:...
, Tom Crofts and Bill Quirke.
Irish Civil War
Following the Irish War of Independence, Barrett supported the Anti-Treaty IRA'sIrish Republican Army (1922–1969)
The original Irish Republican Army fought a guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland in the Irish War of Independence 1919–1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the IRA in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and...
refusal of authority to the Dail
Dáil Éireann (Irish Free State)
Dáil Éireann served as the directly elected lower house of the Oireachtas of the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1937. The Free State constitution described the role of the house as that of a "Chamber of Deputies". Until 1936 the Free State Oireachtas also included an upper house known as the Seanad...
(civil government of the Irish Republic declared in 1919). He was opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
, calling for the elimination of English influence in Ireland. In April, 1922 under the command of Rory O'Connor
Rory O'Connor (Irish republican)
Rory O'Connor was an Irish republican activist. He is best remembered for his role in the Irish Civil War 1922-1923, which led to his execution.-Background:...
, Barrett, along with 200 other hardline anti-treaty men, took over the Four Courts
Four Courts
The Four Courts in Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's main courts building. The Four Courts are the location of the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Dublin Circuit Court. The building until 2010 also formerly was the location for the Central Criminal Court.-Gandon's Building:Work based on...
building in the centre of Dublin in defiance of the new Irish government. They wanted to provoke British troops, who were still in the country, into attacking them. They hoped this would re-start the war with Britain and re-unite the IRA against their common enemy. Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
tried desperately to persuade O'Connor and his men to leave the building before fighting broke out. In June 1922, after the Four Courts garrison had kidnapped J.J. O'Connell, a general in the new Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
Army, Collins shelled the Four Courts with borrowed British artillery in what became known as the Battle of Dublin. O'Connor surrendered following two days of fighting, and Barrett with 200 or so anti treaty IRA members, was arrested and held in Mountjoy Gaol Prison. This incident sparked the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
- as fighting broke out around the country between pro and anti treaty factions.
Execution
On 8 December 1922, Richard Barrett was executed along with three other Republican leaders, Rory O'ConnorRory O'Connor (Irish republican)
Rory O'Connor was an Irish republican activist. He is best remembered for his role in the Irish Civil War 1922-1923, which led to his execution.-Background:...
, Liam Mellows
Liam Mellows
Liam Mellows was an Irish Republican and Sinn Féin politician. Born in England, Mellows grew up in County Wexford in Ireland. He was active with the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Irish Volunteers, and participated in the Easter Rising in County Galway, and the War of Independence...
and Joe McKelvey
Joe McKelvey
Joe McKelvey was an Irish Republican Army officer who was executed during the Irish Civil War. He participated in the anti-Treaty IRA's repudiation of the authority of the Dáil in March 1922 and was elected to the IRA Army Executive...
by the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
in revenge for the IRA's killing of TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
Sean Hales
Sean Hales
Sean Hales was an Irish political activist in the early 20th century. Hales was born in Ballinadee, County Cork, where he and his brothers Tom, Donal and Robert were involved in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence.At the 1921 elections Hales was elected to the Second...
. One significant member from each province was executed, Barrett representing Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
. Ironically, Barrett was a member of the same IRA brigade as Hales during the Anglo-Irish War and both were childhood friends. The executions were ordered by Justice Minister Kevin O'Higgins
Kevin O'Higgins
Kevin Christopher O'Higgins was an Irish politician who served as Vice-President of the Executive Council and Minister for Justice. He was part of early nationalist Sinn Féin, before going on to become a prominent member of Cumann na nGaedheal. O'Higgins initiated the An Garda Síochána police force...
. In reprisal for O'Higgin's role in the executions, the Anti-Treaty IRA murdered his father and burned his family home in Stradbally, County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
. Anti-treaty members would later assassinate O'Higgins as well. (See also Executions during the Irish Civil War
Executions during the Irish Civil War
The executions during the Irish Civil War took place during the guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War . This phase of the war was bitter, and both sides, the government forces of the Irish Free State and the anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army insurgents, used executions and terror in what...
). Barrett is now buried in his home county Cork following the government's exhumation and re-interment.
A poem about the execution was written by Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
clergyman Pádraig de Brún
Pádraig de Brún
Monsignor Pádraig de Brún was an Irish clergyman, mathematician and classical scholar, who served as President of University College Galway....
.he died in 1992