Michael Collins, Commander-in-Chief of the Irish army, was killed in an ambush near Bandon, county Cork, within a few miles of his birthplace, on Tuesday night.
Accompanied by several leading Free State officers, he was visiting the National Army╒s posts in South Cork and was returning to Cork City by byroads owing to obstacles on the main road. He was accompanied by an armoured car and a bodyguard. There were about 20 men altogether in the party.
The Irregulars, who are said to have numbered about 200, had been almost beaten off when Collins was shot in the head. It was clear from the first that the wound was fatal, but he went on firing. His last words were ╥Forgive them. Bury me in Glasnevin with the boys.╙
