In the months before the Civil War, he tried to maintain unity and discouraged the anti-treaty side from taking up arms. The Civil War began with the shelling of the anti-treaty-occupied Four Courts by the Free State on June 28, 1922. Read MoreBy late June, the Four Courts was reduced to ruins as it was attacked by the Free State army. By the outbreak of Civil War, he took on a military position as assistant to the adjutant general. Though some doubted his abilities, Cosgrave remained as leader of the new Irish state for 10 years and had a long political career.

Source: Irish Independent April 23, 2022 13:31 UTC