An Eyewitness Account of Michael Collins Death

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John O'Connell, a member of the Free State army that was travelling with Michael Collins when he was ambushed in Béal na Bláth on 22 August 1922 gives an eyewitness account of the death of Michael Collins.

[@Jen999]

Just watched .. as my Dad always told us when speaking of Michael Collins.. even after all these years.. his death still hurts.. he will never be forgotten.. thank you for this poignant tribute Davy💜💙☘️

[@davyholden]

Thank you Jen 💚

[@Jen999]

@@davyholden You are so welcome.. and so appreciated🌹☘️💜💙

[@patriciaMeany]

My granny said de Valera sold the north out and never forgave him. She was burnt out of there farm for holding the mass

[@Jen999]

@@patriciaMeany Your Granny and my Da were on the same page.. he never forgave him for his part in Michael Collins’ death ☘️💜💙

[@sandidavis820]

There were so many heroes in Ireland and I truly believe Michael Collins was one of the top ones, if not the top one. My heart hurts to know that there were and still are some that do not give him the credit he deserved. I am so thankful that you are bringing our history to the attention of the world. Thank you, Davy

[@mjp8278]

Especially this chap Davy holden,must be working for finna fall.😊

[@davyholden]

Thank you Sandi 😊💚

[@peterallison-ex4yy]

I think he knew his days where numbered when he came back from London with that treacherous deal that Eamon had set him up for the fall. Still a lost to Ireland but as the saying goes Ireland unfree will never be at Peace. Great video Davy. Go raibh maith agat 💚🇮🇪🍀✊

[@Seamus322]

Davy- Thanks for posting all this content- I'm 2nd-gen I-A, my Da's father was a Vol in Fermanagh, when the border went up he went south and then to NYC, my mother's Dad fought the Tans in North Tipperary, the peelers caught him with a Webley in his pocket one night- after the Treaty, he stood up for the Republic, and got a one-way ticket to Oz for his efforts- after a few years in Brisbane, he, my Grandma, and my Mom made their way to NYC- talk about "Luck of the Irish", they can through Ellis Island a month after the Crash of '29...

[@davyholden]

Thank you Séamus 😊

[@johnnymolloy5846]

​@@davyholden thank you for the vids Davy my grandad fought in the North Tip brigade he is mentioned in the book My fight for IRISH FREEDOM. He was an engineer and well yes he was able to build things. He also done 54 days on hunger strike over in the scrubs. I never got to meet him but ye I thought I'd throw a bit of history back ye lad.

[@gerrymcateer1967]

💚🍀💚😎🙏

[@Seamus322]

@@johnnymolloy5846 My Grandda was from Toomevara- took part in the Borrisokane RIC barracks raid. Dan Breen stayed at my grandmother's parents farm in Knockane. Dan B was a cousin through my Dad's mother.

[@Jen999]

A must see for us.. Michael Collins.. my Dad’s greatest hero.. thank you for this Davy🌹☘️💜💙

[@davyholden]

Thank you Jen 😊

[@Jen999]

@@davyholdenThere are no words good enough to thank you for what you do for Ireland.. God Bless you Davy💜💙☘️

[@prestigious5s23]

What's crazy about Michael Collins I find is just how young he was. Feels like he was nearly in his 60's when he died because he's become so important to iriswh history, but he was only 31 when died. So, so young.

[@jackspring7709]

They grew up very very fast in those days. I'm old enough that I still remember that generation. One great uncle who used to come back from America every year: I only found out years after he died that he had been one of Collins' bodyguards during the War of Independence: many of my relatives had been involved in both wars but they never spoke about it.

[@KittyKat-vb1nd]

​@@jackspring7709Adulthood in those days was just that. You had to grow up. Unlike now where they're 30 riding skateboards and drinking ice coffee

[@jackspring7709]

@@KittyKat-vb1nd Very true.

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

I could listen to this man talk all day, fascinating bit of history

[@ATLmodK]

Again, thank you so much for this beautifully remastered and very valuable interview.

[@davyholden]

Thank you Kathryn!

[@Chromosome999]

Absolutely brilliant Davey

[@martinatravers330]

Thank you Davy for posting this.

[@davyholden]

Thank you Martina

[@grahamstewart615]

Was that Alex Ferguson I heard talking.

[@vanessalavin9871]

It was.

[@davyholden]

It sure is

[@thelolguy007]

They killed a Mighty Man, A Hero. One of Irelands Saddest Days 😢

[@SaorEire]

He was killed because he betrayed the Irish Republic. The true heroes are the once he refused to sellout and remained loyal to Republic that they swore an oath to defend.

[@johnroche7541]

At 1.35 that is Collins standing in the ruins of the family home which was burned down by the 1st Bn Essex Regiment.

[@davyholden]

Yes it is indeed

[@johnroche7541]

@@davyholden Thank you for your reply. People erroneously think it was the Black & Tans. Kenneth Griffith actor/historian states it in his book "Irelands Unfinished Revolution" Did you get my post in relation to the BBC TV documentary drama about Frank Crozier?

[@johnboylan3591]

By percival the man who surrendered Singapore to the Japanese when he vastly out numbered them, he could only attack women and children in Ireland and the big fella tried to have him shot.

[@johnroche7541]

@@johnboylan3591 Obviously a lot of people know of Major Arthur Percival from reading Tom Barry's IRA memoir. He has earned a nefarious reputation in Ireland. However the reality is that he was a decorated soldier from WW1 and Russian Civil War. He was a holder of the Military Cross which he won at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and was also awarded the DSO and received a bar to the latter for service in Russia. He was also a recipient of the Croix De Guerre. He was awarded an OBE for service in Ireland. He paid the IRA the highest military compliment by adopting British "Flying Columns" towards the end of the Irish War of Independence. He was a real nemesis of the IRA. As you correctly state the IRA tried to assassinate him in March 1921 in London. Churchill described the surrender of Singapore as the "blackest day in the history of the British Empire". There is footage of Percival in tropical uniform including wearing shorts surrendering to the Japanese. He would be in Tokyo Bay with General McArthur in August 1945 for the Japanese official surrender. Percival wanted to meet both Tom Barry and fellow IRA Officer Liam Deasy in later life. Dasy was receptive to the idea but Barry threatened to shoot him!

[@johnroche7541]

@@johnboylan3591 There was more to Percival than that. He was a decorated soldier from WW1 and Russian Civil War. He was awarded the OBE for service in Ireland. He gave the IRA the highest military compliiment by adopting British "Flying Columns" near the end of the Irish War of Independence. He was a real nemesis to the Cork IRA as many veterans confirm.

[@cushyglen4264]

Only Collins stood a chance of ending partition. De Valera certainly never showed any inclination to address the issue he was so opposed to.

[@johnroche7541]

If you read Tim Pat Coogans biography of Michael Collins he stated that Collins expected more miltary confrontation with the British in the future. After the signing of the Treaty Collins must have been so frustrated with his former Republican IRA comrades. Collins wanted to create a new Irish Army comprised of former IRA men from the War of Independence,those Irishmen released from the British Army due to the disbandment of Irish regiments and obviously native enlisted men in Ireland. I know all the aforementioned would be instrumental in forming the new Free State Army but Collins wanted all the veterans of the War of Independence to be in this army. Collins was supplied by the British in terms of arms etc but also wanted to purchase from elsewhere. An Irish Army that Collins envisaged would be in uniform with artillery,machine guns etc. Collins astutely believed that once the British withdrew from southern Ireland despite having a presence in Northern Ireland the Westminister government would find it difficult to reoccupy Ireland again in terms of British public opinion.. The British public showed their appetite for war when they were horrified by the "Chanak Crisis" in October 1922 which almost embroiled Britain in a major War with Turkey in eastern Europe. Both Churchill and David Lloyd George wanted War but the British public were horrified at such a prospect after sacrificing a generation in WW1. The British government fell from office and David Lloyd George never again held a political position again.. No doubt the Irish Army that Collins envisaged would be built up over a period of years. No doubt he would have marched on the North knowing the consequences.. An Irish Army of veterans of WW1 and the War of Independence would be formidable on home turf. Lord Birkenhead stated that if the two wings of Sinn Fein came together meaning obviously both pro and anti Treaty it would take a British Army of over 200,000 to deal with it but that the British public would not entertain or sanction such a prospect. The Irish Civil War was avoidable and that is not with the benefit of hindsight. The Anti Treat IRA should have shown a bit of patience for a couple of years. The army mutiny of 1924 showed how disillusioned even Free State soldiers became with the Treaty. This alternative Anglo -Irish War of what Collins envisaged might have settled the Northern question and ended Partition once and for all. .Would a British government get the backing from the British public to get involved in a real war in Ireland over the North? Going back to the "Chanak Crisis" only New Zealand would have supported Britain if she went to war. The other Dominions were horrified that they were not consulted and argued Britain had no right to declare war on their behalf.

[@JohnCox-ut3cv]

@@johnroche7541What I was told was that the Boundary Commission which Collins had insisted upon in the Treaty would have led, if he had lived, to three of the 6 Counties of the brit statelet being returned to Irish control within two or three years. This would have made the remaining three counties unsustainable and so partition would have ended probably in the 1920’s. A terrible loss.

[@cushyglen4264]

@@johnroche7541 I believe the British assessment of Collins - as you have so well set out - is that he was a real threat to their recently developed status quo. Whereas De Valera was their tame Irish republican who posed no such threat. Ergo Collins gets brutally removed from the scene, Dev becomes the virtual father of the new nation & the north is left to its dreary steeples. British post-colonial fingerprints are all over post-independence Ireland. Cui Bono?

[@johnroche7541]

@@cushyglen4264 Thank you for your reply. I know it is very interesting to play the counter factual game of history. Collins after the signing of the Treaty seemed like a man in a race against time. Collins despite been considered a miltary man was politically astute. He knew the Dominions were becoming more "independent" in everything but name and less subservient to Britain. It is very easy to focus on the situation in an Irish and British context but if there was a major War in Ireland no doubt it would effect British interests elsewhere for example nationalists in India etc might take advantage and launch a miltary campaign for it's own independence if Britain had to pour men into Ireland. Other areas such as Egypt Mesopotamia etc might follow suit. Also David Loyd George was also concerned that any conflict in Ireland might ignite a bigger Civil War within the British Empire itself. The gentleman above makes a very interesting point in relation to 3 counties of the 6 of the state of Northern Ireland being eventually absorbed by the south after a couple of years. Personally I dont think that would have happened. Collins from his perspective believed that force was the only way to deal with the North hence his supplying Northern IRA units even after the Treaty. Would Britain get involved in a war with southern Ireland if the latter marched on the North? No doubt a lot of the British public would probably have an attitude of let them sort it out amongst themselves. No doubt Collins would have exploited every concession that the Treaty allowed including the formation of a national army. Hard to understand why Collins could not have elaborated to the anti Treaty IRA before the Irish Civil War even commenced what his future plans were and as he is quoted as saying he would have told the British "to hell with the Treaty". Collins must have been so frustrated with the Anti Treaty.

[@vcrossCelticfc]

​@@cushyglen4264De Valera was a Sp¥, talked the talk, MC walked the walk. He was too big a threat. De Valera's birth certificate nor that of his father have never been found by historians 🤨.

[@tankc6474]

Respect from County Wexford purple 💜 gold 💛

[@fionadownes4732]

Fabulous Davey! Very poignant. Thank you

[@davyholden]

Thank you!

[@snoqueen313]

Thank you for posting

[@phillipnoone8044]

Thank you for that great video

[@darrengriffin9842]

GONE. BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

[@bbiggins]

Thank you Davy.

[@davyholden]

Thank you!

[@garygallagher7269]

Good work Davy 👍

[@davyholden]

Thank you Gary!

[@helenmarron5925]

Thank you ❤ 🇮🇪

[@davidpearn2484]

Love your videos Davy, my wife's mother and her siblings were all from ireland 🇮🇪, most emigrated to New York but mary settled in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 i find the videos fascinating.

[@davyholden]

Thanks so much David!

[@eddiedoyle8564]

No denying things today would be different if Collins lived.. but at the end of the day he killed his fellow comrades an bent the knee to the king..

[@Shimaine]

Interesting, thank you

[@karukun0212]

Davy, thank you. These mean so much. 800 years of slavery was ended by the Leadership of this Hero.

[@davyholden]

Thank you!

[@vcrossCelticfc]

He was set up and he always said "Its just a stepping stone." It makes you wonder what he would have acheived if he lived, something tells me that was why he had to die. God rest his soul 🇮🇪

[@g9604]

It was a very interesting time indeed, whether he could have ended partition is another matter. Northern Ireland still exists today 123 years on. Two things get me about the 1921 Treaty, Collins was sacrificed and killed for going against Republican thinking and their ideals as set out in the 1916 proclamation. Is the same not afforded to those Republicans who agreed something very similar with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998? Both Agreements didnt even have a 'republic' on the table. Makes me wonder were all these deaths even worth it.

[@Fionan95]

Interesting that Dalton (sitting next to Collins at the ambush) was British Secret Service before and after he became General in the Free State Army ?? 🤔

[@johnroche7541]

Emmet was Director of Training for the IRA at GHQ. Emmet won the MC serving with the 9th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers at Guinchy in September 1919 during the Battle of the Somme. His brother Charlie took part in the Bloody Sunday assassinations on 21st November 1920. Emmet with other IRA men disguised as Brirish officers and men failed to break Sean MacEoin out of Mountjoy Jail in May 1921.

[@johnroche7541]

The Battle of the Somme was July to November 1916 my friend.

[@johnroche7541]

The 1st of July 1916 is literally seen as the first day of the battle. However if one wants to be pedantic what about the artillery barrages weeks before that preceded the 1st of July 1916 date? Do you naively think the Battle of the Somme commenced and concluded on the 1st July 1916? I wont be rude. I would highly recommend getting a WW1 history book.

[@johnroche7541]

Obviously it was 1916 and not 1919. As stated the Battle of the Somne was from July to November 1916.

[@johnroche7541]

@@rambojp73 Dont be behaving like a troll. Good you spotted the error. With that other information I provided I think it is safe to assume I know the year of the Battle of the Somme. My grandfather was there like other IRA veterans . I am doing this on my phone and not a computer and numbers are close together and am typing fast. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I could go into troll mode and go on about you thinking erroneously the Battle of the Somme started and ended on the same day July 1st 1916.

[@conalotoole7441]

Very interesting

[@patrickburke3509]

Dan The Man Breen . Legend 😊

[@johnboylan3591]

That's not Dan Breen, I think that it is Sean O'Connell

[@padraickennedy1232]

The founding father of our free nation and the protector of Irish Democracy.

[@parksideevangelicalchurch2886]

Anyone know why KZbin put a blue Context box below this video, with a link to Encyclopedia Britannica? Is Michael Collins on KZbin's naughty list?

[@paddycullivan]

Interesting. There were 2 O'Connells on the Crossley Tender - Commandant Sean O'Connell (who went to fetch Collins body - we are told) and I presume this man (John) O'Connell. One thing he says rings true - he didn't see any of the shooters - indeed they themselves said they saw nothing as they were running from vastly superior firepower. That the ambush was aimed at Collins exclusively is speculation on his behalf - nor did he see the shooting and he gets the location of the wound completely wrong (again, according to a general consensus of where it was - behind the right ear at the bottom of the skull). In the Collins death it is very important to understand that no-one actually saw what happened and his recounting has the air of repeating a second-hand account. Especially as Collins fell hundreds of feet behind the Crossly and around a corner with a high ditch blocking any possible view. So the title of this vid though well-meaning is hardly an 'eyewitness' account. As with everything to do with BNB, we can't trust anything, especially long-held certainties. In all of those cases, we can only answer 'according to whom'. Who we choose to believe is entirely on us, entirely our choice.

[@frederickjohnsen4246]

He has become a tragic figure of Irish history - almost Jesus-like, in that he sacrificed his life for the freedom of others. It is often forgotten that Collins was not the sole signer of the treaty agreement. Others agreed on the proposed treaty and it was the Dal that approved it. But, The Big Fella was the face of the whole thing and he bore the brunt of it. Truly a shame. He and his colleagues achieved "half a loaf" for Ireland with eyes on the "whole loaf," which I believe they would have, had it not been for Collin's assassination.

[@pjtufty66]

Michael Collins Grandmother Johanna O'brien is my Great Great Grandmother. Holidays to visit my Granny in Owenahincha, going to Rosscarbeyry, Clonakilty ,Skibereen , Lisavaird , Sam's Cross & Woodfield. So much History surrounding my Childhood that I was to young to fully understand. P.S Johanna O'brien is the reason Clonakilty black pudding exists. You should have a wee trip down to South West Cork & see Tom Barries House in Rosscarberry & visit Jeremy ah O'Donovan Rossas Statue in Skib.

[@cymro6537]

It would be nice if lip readers could interpret what he said in the silent film of his public speaking.

[@johnroche7541]

There was a great documentary on the "Discovery Channel" a number of years ago in relation to WW1 and lip readers were stating what the British soldiers were saying in tbe footage.

[@cymro6537]

@@johnroche7541 Thanks yeah I saw that - truly fascinating 👍

[@joemay2640]

We slave minded serfs, that brought a tear to my eye, 😢

[@davyholden]

Me too

[@Richie8a8y]

My friend took me to this place and told me this story. All of Ireland is beautiful but that was the damndest place I’ve ever seen.

[@jeffsmith2022]

Murdered by his own people, damn...

[@darrengriffin9842]

The man who allegedly shot the Big Fella. Is buried a few hundred yards from where I live in Nenagh

[@daithi9100]

That is a brilliant yet tragic account,i agree with him a hell of a sight for an ambush alright.Visited 20 yrs ago an only by chance found it coz folk were stealing signs to it,crazy.Rip General,the fight ain't over yet.💪🍀

[@karlbarry6004]

Thank you again davey for all your knowledge on our history its nice to see all off this history been brought straight to my home it brings back school days gora maith agut 🇮🇪🇮🇪💯

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Collins was murdered by ex British army soldiers in the "convoy". Why he allowed ex British soldiers to be part of his escort is another matter. According to forensic examination of Collin's body and ambush site, the bullet that killed Collins entered above his right ear as he faced the hill directly in front of him. The shot could not have come from the ambush group positioned directly in front and firing down. The most plausible explanation is assassination by one or more members of the convoy behind or up close to Collins. An "inside job" but planned by who? The Brits, or Free State Army in the pay of the Brits. The ambush team, like the "eye witness" correctly said, could have, if they had wanted to, have killed every member of the convoy. Collins was the only fatality. Since his murder, lots of tall tales, spin and disinformation by all sides.

[@johnroche7541]

Did'nt Irish historians,forensics,military ballistic experts and the state pathologist make a documentary on RTE(Irish TV) in the last few years about the bullet that killed Collins and dispelling a lot of myths.

[@mjp8278]

Just like the cap john,that was bought for,a substantial amount money legitimate auction house,sold for thousands,only for a military historian to say couldn't be Michaels cap,because the badge on the cap was post 1922.sure your name is not dee forbes, john.😅

[@jackspring7709]

@@johnroche7541 RTE is not a trustworthy source.

[@staceygrove5976]

2:27 Definitely has more than a passing resemblance to Hitler in that footage.

[@EamonODhaibi-qk5cr]

A great man the key in the cake Spanish American Dev bit like today Leo and another import what be the end of us is there no truly irish men like Collins

[@chrisdonnelly3282]

A name was bantered about as to whom shot Micheal Collins. Does anyone really know??

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

What could’ve been havent had anything like a leader since.

[@paulineguy8999]

Truly believe he would have come to free us next in the North if only he had of lived . I go to his grave every year .

[@tomcleary2674]

When Michael Collins walked this earth men were men devilara was a kiss arse

[@davidmartin9879]

Remember Winstinn Churchhill divide and conquer....

[@tim7052]

Sad to think.Ireland was one of the first countries occupied by the English,and today,it's one of the last still fighting for it's independence.

[@mjp8278]

Somebody with sence.

[@godofsaucefut]

Tiocfaidh ár lá 🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@rosss5179]

People came from all over the world to be Irish to be free they believed, please read the Irish constitution then start to learn who came to Ireland to give their life, do you know in the 5 and 6 century all the Irish tribes sailed to England and drove out the last of Roman dominance, English and Irish were free, now try find that in your history books More to tell if you ask

[@mjp8278]

Michael collins only young man ahead of his time,only have to read the mans diaries, thinking 50years ahead, lot of his letters notes and notebook went missing destroyed,had been around today youd simply join the dots get the truth.

[@davidmartin9879]

ireland ...palastine... india...

[@Hgfds897]

Dev was a complete coward. He made it clear to the British that he was American not Irish to save himself from execution. He knew Collins couldn’t a full Ireland.

[@SunofYork]

Is a Cork Pakistani a "CorkAsian?"

[@mjp8278]

😂😂 collins working brits.

[@LordYanSpeaks]

I know that Ireland is pretty diverse in its opinions just like any nation. Yet, I will state that your videos really give me strength through this genocidal situation in Palestine.

[@AlbertMurphy-vq8nn]

Shut up

[@mjp8278]

Bolox read up john o connell utter bolox.

[@Johnnyquid20]

Collins was working for the brits

[@John-ek1py]

Dan Breen murdered his own country men, poor men who joined the ruc, a police force, not an occupying army, and he hid in ditches and shot them in the back. He was not respected by collins. He was a criminal, not a decent man or a hero. A vicious brute. Collins was very different thing to Dan Breen. Irish history is not simple.We had wrong ones too.

[@davidruane9005]

Having a question everything bias, the big fella was set up I believe by Dev. The last one to be shot and given a reprieve 🤔. When all your brother's in arm's were slain and you would have heard it. A true revolutionary goes out fighting, could he be turned and be placed as a British implant, his meteoric rise by the main stream media of the time and not the Majority of the people. I 🤔 But is it a case of the pens mightier than the sword..... But he was suffering in my opinion an inferiority complex and guilt for turning over a true Irishman one of which is lacking today. Dev declined a unified Ireland, hiding behind religion.. Interred many of the true Irishmen without trial executed without trial, all very reminiscent of the English when in rule. Kept in power for the length of time only a shill could do.......💚🤍💛