The Irish Times view on Soloheadbeg: a complex legacy
A centenary later there are still divided views on the shots which started the War of Independence
The Soloheadbeg ambush, in which two policemen were shot dead by a group of Volunteers led by Dan Breen and Seán Treacy, has left an ambiguous legacy. Photograph: Ronan McGreevy
Centenary commemorations took place this weekend to mark the opening shots at Soloheadbeg in Co Tipperary of what became known as the War of Independence. The event was controversial at the time and there are still divided views about its justification.
The main focus of the State commemoration is the 100th anniversary of the first Dáil which met on January 21st, 1919, the same day as the ambush. That is only right as the first Dáil was the foundation stone of the democratic state we inhabit today.