Sean F. Quinn

Sean Francis Quinn (Irish: Seán Proinsias Ó Cuinn) was an Anti-Treaty IRA officer (Adjutant General) in the Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

He was educated by the Christian Brothers in Newry.

On April 22, 1923, he was at a safe house in Castlebellingham along with his brothers Padraig Quinn (IRA Quartermaster General) and Malachi (father of Ruairi Quinn Labour TD). Also there was Frank Aiken (O/C) and Ned Fitzpatrick. They were betrayed by a Catholic priest who had said Sunday Mass for them. Soon surrounded by a large force of Free State troops, Seán Quinn decided they would shoot their way out. Seán and Pádraig Quinn were shot and captured. Aiken escaped (he was named IRA Chief of Staff the next day). Malachi and Ned escaped by hiding in the attic. Seán Quinn died a month later in prison from the untreated wounds.

On May 24, 1923, soon after Seán Quinn’s death, Frank Aiken issued a “cease fire” order and instructed all IRA units to “dump arms” which effectively ended the Irish Civil War.

Footnotes

* Note|O'Malley Ernie O’Malley, "The Singing Flame" (Anvil Books Limited, Ireland, 1978)
* The Newry Reporter, Thursday, August 25 2005, page 6.