In Reply to: re: re: re: old photo - blueshirts posted by Heil O'Duffy on April 19, 2008 at 21:22:15:

Indeed, the 'what ifs' make interesting discussions. I was listening to a discussion on the Spanish Civil War on the radio this morning - I think it was Sam Smyth on Today FM - and one thing all the speakers agreed on was that all civil wars are savage and the Spanish one was especially so. Both sides committed the most appalling atrocities. My Dad, RIP, often spoke of the Blueshirts, he being of the other persuasion. He said a favourite tactic of his side was to hide behind walls and wait with shovels of steaming cow dung until the Blueshirts cycled by in formation and then let fly. A bit lot a lot of political debate I suppose. There was a man who used to drink with my Dad in Paddy King's who told me proudly that 'he wore the shirt.'He and dad always got on except for about a month either side of an election when old rivalries dictated they keep their distance. Better a whiff of cow dung than cordite.