Reference Code: IE/MA/CW/CAPT
Dates: 1922-1925
Level of Description: Fonds
Extent and Medium: 8 Boxes Paper
Access: Open to the public
Language: English
Note: Paper, available in Reading Room
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This collection is composed of documents captured in various ways. Taken from Anti-Treaty IRA personnel captured in action, found during search operations, intercepted from couriers, and taken from raids on premises used by the IRA, Sinn Féin, Fianna Éireann, Cumann na mBan, and by known or suspected sympathisers. The great majority of items relate to the Civil War period comprising a large amount of traffic between IRA General Headquarters and Brigades, and between Brigades and sub-units.
As soon as possible after capture, these documents came under control of the Intelligence Branch, which recorded the names of the persons on or from whom they were captured and the date and place of capture. Each such group was allocated a “lot” number for record purposes.
Scope and Content:
The collection contains 233 lots of captured documents relating to current political issues, to assessments of public opinion and sentiment in relation to the issues of the war, and of reactions of the civilian population to the actions taken by the combatants.
It also includes administration and operational documents, along with propaganda and publicity material.
The documents include a few dating to 1919 to the prelude to the War of Independence. The items, relating to the period between the conclusion of the Civil War and July, 1925, contain information concerning the efforts made to re-organise the IRA to improve military training and organisation in the light of the experience of the Civil War, to maintain the strength of units and to establish a reserve force.