It isn't a case of wanting to hide discussion of MacColl and his history.

You say Imagine my surprise when I find that there's a "hole" in the book

I am surprised you say that when there are a number of holes in the book. His wives and children (to me) is a much bigger one. Peggy mentioned it in the foreword in the original. Remarkably few people come along and mention that one.

I suppose if people kept on coming onto saying who wrote "The Fields of Athenry" people get irritated and eventually say "Go away and look it up".

It's a bit like that with what Ewan did in the war. It is well-documented, has been discussed lots of times and people like me (who have done it) get irritated with people who are apparently really keen to know apparently can't be bothered to buy, beg, borrow or steal the book.

And you were asking the question metaphorically? Well you fooled me too.