IRA Intelligence
In 1919 Michael Collins became Director of Intelligence for the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Once in his new role, he quickly set up an intelligence network that incorporated intelligence gathering, counter intelligence and issues relating to prison escapes and smuggling (of both weapons and people).
An intelligence office was set up at 3 Crow Street, right under the nose of the British Administration in Dublin Castle. Members of staff inside the office spent much of their time decoding messages and sorting through information that was sent to them from intelligence officers around the country.
Each company of the IRA had at least one intelligence officer who was strongly encouraged to enlist informers from all walks of life, especially those who had strong connections to the British authorities, including: typists in governmental departments, and warders in jails.
Amongst the most active informers were those in the post office. They spied against spies, diverted letters intended for the British administration, decoded military communications and forwarded copies to the IRA. Post office safes were also used for safekeeping of republican documents and envelopes marked O.H.M.S signified republican dispatches and postmen recruited telegraph boys to send them out in secret.
The public house at Waterfall, County Cork where Walter Leo Murphy, Commander of the 3rd Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA and 40 members of the IRA were found. © IWM (Q 107778)
In order to counteract the British intelligence network, Michael Collins employed ‘squad’ members to carry out a series of attacks and assassinations against high profile British officials.
Another important concern was jailbreaking. Through the aid of informers and agents in jails around the country, throughout the Irish War of Independence the IRA managed to successfully free a number of their members from jail.
Neither Collins nor the volunteers would have survived without the countrywide aid and support network of supporters who acted as: intelligence agents, couriers and secretaries whilst also providing meals, shelter and safe houses for men on the run.