Early 2023
The unresolved Civil War from the previous year would continue to be the cause of much bitter strife for much of 1923. While the Free State Government had forced their opponents “The Irregulars” out of their urban strongholds to retreat into guerrilla warfare the attendant destruction of roads, bridges etc. and armed bank robberies, particularly on Bank of Ireland premises, was proving difficult to contain. The authorities were fearful that the turmoil might bankrupt the state but in their favour was lack of popular support for the Irregulars, massive numbers of new recruits to the Free State Army and the securing of extra armaments that were expensive, but effective. Many of the “Irregulars” started to realise that their campaign was going nowhere, but the single-minded determination of their leader Liam Lynch, more than any other factor, ruled out an early laying down of arms. Apart from security concerns, the new regime had to set about revising or replacing the administrative structures of the departing British, as violence was escalating in the newly established state of Northern Ireland. All of these factors meant that normal life did not immediately return with the foundation of the Irish Free State, but it was on the way.
However, the events after the start of the year gave no grounds for optimism. Executions of anti-Treaty prisoners continued with a death toll of 55 by the end of January. Meanwhile the anti-Treaty forces started to attack the homes of their opponents. One of the homes burnt down was that of William T. Cosgrave, President of the Executive Council, and a number of Senators were the victims of similar attacks. A government amnesty in early February was unproductive as the father of Kevin O’Higgins, Minister for Home Affairs, was shot a few days later. Although these attacks were followed up with a successful attack on the income tax offices in Dublin, there were ominous portents for the anti-Treaty forces. Huge numbers were enlisting in the National army and the attendant hardships of the guerrilla campaign brought pressure on Liam Lynch from key members to end the campaign, which he resisted in spite of a continuing decline in popular support.
In the midst of the turmoil, the new administration continued with the building of the new state. The hated workhouses of the old Poor Law Unions were abolished and replaced with an alternative system operated by local authorities, and by April the Free State had an independent fiscal system with its own customs and excise barriers. On April 10th with the death of Liam Lynch the last lap of the Civil War was virtually completed and by the end of the month Frank Aiken, Lynch’s successor as IRA Chief of Staff, was announcing the suspension of anti-Treaty operations. This was followed some weeks later by a declaration from Eamon De Valera that the republic could no longer be defended by force. This was followed in turn by an order from Frank Aiken to dump arms, bringing the Civil War to an end. Meanwhile the newly established state continued to establish itself through replacing old structures. Two commissioners took over the functions of the former Intermediate Education Board and the Land Commission supplanted the Congested Districts Board.