Decoding the IRA by Mahon Tom & James J. Gillogly

Author:Mahon, Tom & James J. Gillogly [Mahon, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Politics: General & Reference, Ireland, letters & journals, Terrorism, Cryptography - Ireland - History, Political violence, Europe, Cryptography, Ireland - History - 1922, Europe - Ireland, Guerrilla warfare - Ireland - History - 20th century, History - General History, Irish Republican Army - History, Internal security, Political violence - Ireland - History - 20th century, Military, Ireland - History, History, Diaries, Ireland - History - 1922-, 20th century, General, History: World, Northern Ireland, Guerrilla warfare, Revolutionary groups & movements
Publisher: Mercier Press
Published: 2010-11-11T23:00:00+00:00

The Merchant

One of the shady characters that George dealt with was an arms dealer named Fitzgerald, whom the IRA referred to as the ‘Merchant’.

In 1926, the IRA in London ordered an assortment of equipment from the ‘Merchant’ and gave him a total of £598 and 4 shillings. This included £200 belonging to ‘James’, for a ‘phone’ – presumable some type of military communications wireless or similar device. Of the £398 belonging to the IRA, £36 was for a dozen adaptors for an army service rifle and £12 and 4 shillings for ammunition. When George returned to London following his visit to Ireland at Christmas, he cancelled the IRA’s order. However, despite ‘continually pressing’ Fitzgerald, he received neither his money back nor the ‘phone’ for the Soviets.129

In late January 1927 Twomey wrote to George: ‘Did you get back all or any of that £350 [sic]? We are in a desperate way for cash.’130 George replied: ‘When I came back [from Ireland] I approached him and he promised [to] let me have some [of the money] but he has not kept his promise … If I do not get some satisfaction from him soon I will use a little pressure.’131 Twomey urged him on: ‘You must put pressure on your friend for that cash. Tell him plainly you must have it at once. If he refuses what pressure do you propose to put on him?’132

George was reluctant to act: ‘I don’t think the man will refuse to pay. He seems to be playing for time and told me yesterday that he would fix the whole business up early next week, which I doubt. If he refuses I think it is up to you to decide on what kind of pressure we use.’133 In the interim George was able to sell an ‘instrument’ he had belonging to the ‘Merchant’ and recoup £48 of the debt.134

Twomey responded: ‘As you know this person and I do not, you would be the best judge as to whether moral pressure would do, or if some physical application would be necessary. Has he any property which could be seized and removed? I would not like for the present to threaten exposure.’135

George feigned the intention of taking decisive action and wrote in March: ‘Unless he fixes this up before the end of next week we will be compelled to take very drastic action. I take it I am at liberty to use any amount of pressure which I may think suitable.’136

‘Yes, you have full permission to take whatever steps you think necessary to recover the money,’ Twomey replied.137 However, the ‘Merchant’ called their bluff and in April George merely handed over a letter demanding payment: ‘Your attitude at the present moment only confirms our previous suspicions that it has not been your intention at any time to deal with us in an honest and straightforward manner … Our representative [the OC. Britain] appears to have been entirely deceived by your statement that you had paid the money to the

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