ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 ...

13.Then the formation of the Mid-Limerick Column started.The East Limerick Column had been formed earlier, itwould be about September, 1920, when the Mid-LimerickColumn was formed. Brigadier Dunne came out to me.There were about ten of us "on the run" at the time andthere was a share of lads from Limerick city who were"on the run" also. He suggested that the Column would beformed. We formed the Column. I was appointed ColumnCommander by Dunne and given the power to act on my owninitiative whenever I thought it necessary to do so withoutreferenceto' him.At that time another move was made to link up thelet Battalion, A meeting was held at a place calledDrombane, attended by Colivet and Liam Forde from the1st Battalion, and the rest of the Battalions wererepresented at it. At that time we were makingarrangements to have an attack on a police car that usedgo from Bruff to Limerick City, and Colivet did not likethe idea. lie went away without malting any arrangements.The Column had been staying at the back of thisplace where the meeting was held. at the Four Elms.we were staying in farmers' houses at the back of it.Next morning the scouts rushed in to us and said, that theplace was surrounded but there was one point at which thecordon had not been completed. We got through at thatpoint. They searched all that area for us all day but wehad got through. So the ambush did not come off atDrombane.Liam Forde was the only one out of the 1stBattalion that was anxious to fight, He came to theColumn and he said, "I want to remain with the Column"He remained with us then.