While we know Dominic wrote the song, the question remains did he copyright it? He was nervous that McAlpine might sue him, so on his album "The Irish Rover" he sings it as "McAldines Fusiliers" and as an added precaution claims he got the song from his brother, Brian.
On Pat Kenny TV chat show following his fathers death, both himself and Brian appeared and had the usual brotherly arguements, during which Brian claimed "I wrote McAlpines Fusiliers and you got the credit for it". The song is also conspicuous by it's absence in both of Dominic's songbooks. I have been told that Dominic got absolutely nothing in royalties as he did'nt copyright it.
Can anyone confirm this?
                                           Domo