Saor Éire

I.R.A. PROCLAMATION

(English Translation)

Last December certain representatives of the nation, yielded to English threats of war, violated their pledge and their oaths and catered into an agreement subversive of the independence of the nation and destructive of its territorial integrity.

Since that time these representatives and their adherents have been engaged in corrupting and seducing soldiers and citizens of the Republic from their allegiance, and, in violation of the constitution of a special decree of Dail Eireann and of their own express undertakings to maintain the Republic, have suppressed the legitimate Parliament and Judiciary, usurped the Government of the State, and now, by the instigation of the English and with English aid, are endeavouring traitorously to destroy the Republic by force of arms, waging illegal war upon it and proclaiming death, exile, or imprisonment to all its faithful citizens, though they are aware, as everyone in Ireland is aware, that the people desire the continuance of the Republic and that given a free choice they would vote for it in an overwhelming majority.

In these circumstances, in order to preserve the continuity of the independent Irish Government and the better to organise the forces of the Republic in its defence, we, on behalf of the soldiers of the Republic, acting in the spirit of our oath as the final custodians of the Republic, and interpreting the desire of all true citizens of the Republic have called upon the former President, EAMON DE VALERA and the faithful members of Dail Eireann, to form a Government, which they have done.

Accordingly, in the name of the Army, we hereby proclaim EAMON DE VALERA to be PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, with Austin Stack, T,D., Scan O'Mahony, T.D., Robert Barton, T.D., Mrs. O'Callaghan, T.D. Count Plunkett, T.D., Mary MacSwiney, T.D., J. J. O'Kelly, T.D., P. J- Ruttledge. T.D., Laurence Ginnell, T.D., Séan Moylan, T.D., Sean T. O'Kelly, T.D., M. P. Colivet, T.D. as COUNCIL OF STATE, and declare such Cabinet as they shall appoint to be temporarily the Supreme Executive of the Republic and the State, until such time as the elected Parliament of the Republic can freely assemble, or the people being rid of external aggression
are at liberty to decide freely how they are to be governed and what shall be their political relations with other countries.

On behalf of the Army, we pledge to that executive our allegiance and our support in all its legitimate efforts to maintain and defend the Republic, and we call upon all our comrades and loyal fellow-citizens and upon our kin throughout the world, to join with us in reasserting our ancient right to be a free people and a free nation, owning allegiance to no foreign authority whatever.

Signed on behalf of the Army of the Republic.
Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff.
Liam Deasy, Deputy Chief of Staff.
E. O'Maille, Assistant Chief of Staff.
Con Moloney, Adjutant General.
Tom Derrig, Assistant Adjutant General.
Séan Lehane, O.C., 1st and 2nd Northern Divisions.
Frank Aiken, O.C. 4th Northern Division.
Frank Barren, O.C. ist Western Division.
Seamus Robinson, O.C. 2nd Southern Division.
Tom Barry, Operations Staff.
Sean Moylan, O.C. Cork No. 5 Brigade-
P. Whelan, O.C. Waterford Brigade.
Joe O'Connor, O.C. 3rd Battalion, Dublin 1st Brigade.

ARMY EXECUTIVE.

28th October, 1922.