The comparative analysis of terrorist financing will be of value to both practitioners and academics.
Dr Anthony Richard, Reader in Criminology University of East London
It has become somewhat twee to speak of the need to inform present day actions by referring to the historical past. However, as Dr Ridley ably demonstrates, through his comprehensive and lucid analysis of Michael Collins, there is clearly a great deal to learn about the characteristics and mitigation of modern day terrorist financing from an exploration of the life of arguably one of its earliest proponents.
Professor Rob McCusker, De Montfort University
The historical account is fascinating, the analysis of insurgency financing invaluable.
Professor Chizu Nakajima, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London
Michael Collins and the Financing of Violent Political Struggle
Michael Collins was a pivotal figure in the Irish struggle for independence and his legacy has resonated ever since. Whilst Collins role as a guerrilla leader and intelligence operative is well documented, his actions as the clandestine Irish government Minister of Finance have been less studied. The book analyses how funds were raised and transferred in order that the IRA could initiate and sustain the military struggle, and lay the financial foundations of an Irish state.
Nicholas Ridley examines the legacy of these actions by comparing Collins modus operandi for raising and transferring clandestine funds to those of more modern groups engaged in political violence, as well as the laying of foundations for Irish financial and fiscal regulation.
Nicholas Ridley is Senior Lecturer in Policing and Security at London Metropolitan University. He has previously worked as an Intelligence Analyst at New Scotland Yard, Criminal Intelligence Department and Anti-Terrorist Unit and at Europol. He has been a trainer in intelligence and anti-terrorism for police forces in Africa, and has lectured on combating terrorist financing on courses at NATO Centre of Excellence Defence against Terrorism.
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Michael Collins and the Financing of Violent Political Struggle
Nicholas Ridley
Michael Collins and the Financing of Violent Political Struggle
Nicholas Ridley
First published 2018
by Routledge
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2018 Nicholas Ridley
The right of Nicholas Ridley to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data
Names: Ridley, Nicholas, author.
Title: Michael Collins and the financing of violent political struggle / Nicholas Ridley.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2018. | Series: Routledge studies in modern history ; 34 | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017036312| ISBN 9781138214897 (hardback : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781315444925 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Collins, Michael, 18901922Influence. | Ireland HistoryWar of Independence, 19191921. | IrelandHistoryCivil War, 19221923. | IrelandPolitics and government19101921. | Political violenceIrelandHistory20th century.
Classification: LCC DA965.C6 R53 2018 | DDC 941.5082/1dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017036312
ISBN: 978-1-138-21489-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-44492-5 (ebk)
Typeset in Sabon
by Wearset Ltd, Boldon, Tyne and Wear
Contents
Preface
This book is about a period of Irish history through an individual who was, and is, one of Irelands greatest patriots and about funding of violent political struggle and insurgency. These latter activities have come to be termed, in a later era, terrorist financing.
The individual, Michael Collins, is rightly revered for his patriotism, integrity and focussed dedication to obtaining freedom for Ireland, and for his brilliant activities as a guerrilla insurgent leader, as a leader of intelligence operatives and as a sincere and far-seeing Irish statesman. This book focusses more on his financial activities. In concentrating on these financial aspects and activities it reinforces and enhances the place of Michael Collins in Irish and modern history. As such the book makes a modest contribution to the many works already devoted to Collins.
The author has been guided by distinguished historians of Irish history, particularly Tim Pat Coogan, and gratefully draws upon their authoritative opinions and works in several parts of the book. The author also extends grateful thanks to the staff of the National Library of Ireland and the staff of University College Dublin Archives, whose patient, friendly, efficient and speedy help is much appreciated.
Certain terminology has been chosen carefully, to be as neutral as possible. In describing the conflict period of 19191921, the epithets Tan War and War of Independence have both been avoided. It is suggested that the first is too emotive and omits the vital component of the intelligence war, and the second is not strictly accurate as the result of the conflict was to bring both sides to agree to discuss Articles of Agreement etc. The de facto independence was arguably gained by the skill of the Irish negotiating team. The author has been guided by the works of one of the doyens of Irish history, Tim Pat Coogan, in keeping the term of Volunteers up to and including the early stages of the conflict, and following the transition to more intense conflict using the term IRA. In the period of the debate consuming Ireland after the Treaty was signed and the period of the Civil War period, i.e. the years 19211923, the author has used the terms pro-Treaty IRA and anti-Treaty IRA to emphasise the all too real and tragic division amongst former comrades in arms. In the conflict itself the term Irregulars has been avoided and the terms Free State and Republicans used to denote the opposing forces.
