On this day in 1933 the Irish government declared the Army Comrades Association (ACA), later the League of Youth, but better known as the ‘Blueshirts, illegal. Led by Eoin O’Duffy, a veteran of the Irish War of Independence, the leader of Fianna Fáil, Eamon de Valera believed that the Blueshirts were a Fascist movement and were intent on the over through of the government. O’Duffy born in Monaghan in 1892, supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921 and served as a general in the Free State Army. When the Civil War ended, he was appointed Commissioner of An Garda Síochana. By 1933 he was the Chief of the Army Comrades Association and adopting the symbols of fascism and a distinctive blue uniform, which mirrored groups then prominent across Europe, posed a serious threat to the government. Organising a number of rallies across the country O’Duffy and the Blueshirt movement were in the ascent but when they planned a parade to commemorate Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith in August 1933, De Valera fearing a coup d’état banned the march. Despite the ban the Blushirts continued to attend functions and parade, particularly in rural areas. In September 1933 Cumman na nGaedhael and the Centre Party merged with the Blueshirt movement and formed Fine Gael, with O’Duffy elected as its first leader. Resigning from Fine Gael in 1934 O’Duffy turned his attention to Europe and in 1936 organized an Irish Brigade to fight for General Franco in the Spanish Civil War. Returning from the war O’Duffy watched closely the developments of war-time Europe but with his health, in serious decline, he would not become actively involved in matters. He died in 1944 and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
Download Kerryman 16.December.1933 below:
See also: https://www.rte.ie/archives/2013/0822/469576-blueshirts-proclaimed-unlawful-1933/
On this day in 1933 the Irish government declared the Army Comrades Association (ACA), later the League of Youth, but better known as the ‘Blueshirts, illegal. Led by Eoin O’Duffy, a veteran of the Irish War of Independence, the leader of Fianna Fáil, Eamon de Valera believed that the Blueshirts were a Fascist movement and were intent on the over through of the government. O’Duffy born in Monaghan in 1892, supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921 and served as a general in the Free State Army. When the Civil War ended, he was appointed Commissioner of An Garda Síochana. By 1933 he was the Chief of the Army Comrades Association and adopting the symbols of fascism and a distinctive blue uniform, which mirrored groups then prominent across Europe, posed a serious threat to the government. Organising a number of rallies across the country O’Duffy and the Blueshirt movement were in the ascent but when they planned a parade to commemorate Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith in August 1933, De Valera fearing a coup d’état banned the march. Despite the ban the Blushirts continued to attend functions and parade, particularly in rural areas. In September 1933 Cumman na nGaedhael and the Centre Party merged with the Blueshirt movement and formed Fine Gael, with O’Duffy elected as its first leader. Resigning from Fine Gael in 1934 O’Duffy turned his attention to Europe and in 1936 organized an Irish Brigade to fight for General Franco in the Spanish Civil War. Returning from the war O’Duffy watched closely the developments of war-time Europe but with his health, in serious decline, he would not become actively involved in matters. He died in 1944 and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
Download Kerryman 16.December.1933 below: