BS: The General

Subject: The General
From: Amergin
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 04:40 PM

Recently, I saw a movie called The General which is about the career of Martin Cahill, starring Brendan Gleason. What I was wondering is if there is any information anybody here can give me about Cahill or any informative books I can read about him. Thank you.

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Matt_R
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 04:46 PM

Dang, I thought this wanna gonna be about the Buster Keaton one.

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Zebedee
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 05:40 PM

You can find a (very) short biography here

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Zebedee
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 05:54 PM

There are other sites if you care to find them, but I'm not to keen to fete such people, so I'll stop here. (This is not a political comment)

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 06:14 PM

I thought Buster Keaton as well when I saw this. Can't imagine getting round to see this movie, but I'll watch Buster Keaton's one again, any time.

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Quincy
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 06:24 PM

There is a book of the same name by criminologist and crime correspondent for Ireland's Sunday World newspaper, Paul Williams....O'Brien Press, Dublin.
I've seen the film and the book has lots more detail, as is usually the case.

Yvonne

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Lanfranc
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 06:31 PM

I had sort of hoped for Buster Keaton, but was disappointed.

In a spirit of idle curiousity I followed the above link, which confirmed my worst fears.

Interesting point, Cahill (of the UVF) is described as a "criminal" in the blessedly short biog. Had he been IRA, however ........ ??

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 05:18 AM

Cahill wasn't political in that kind of sense. I'd imagine he'd have been highly insulted by being referred to as "UVF" and quite proud of being referred to as "a criminal". And he wasn't a man whom you'd want to insult.

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 08:51 AM

Not familiar with the man but then maybe he didn't get the recognition on this side of the big pond. Am I to assume the U.V.F. is the Ulster Volunteer Force? I have heard of them an what I have heard wasn't good but what do I know, I'm an American. Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Airto
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 11:53 AM

Martin Cahill was indeed a deeply unpleasant man, but he had a wit and cunning that allowed him to make a laughing stock of the Gardai (police) and authority in general.

He took on certain robberies that the IRA had decided weren't worth the risk, especially the Alfred Beit collection and a jewellery warehouse. The IRA came looking for a share of the proceeds but he told them to get stuffed. He then made contact with the UVF to help him fence the stolen paintings and jewellery. He was completely apolitical and did it purely as a business proposition.

When the IRA heard about this, and a Dublin pub hosting one of their social evenings was subsequently bombed by the UVF, they decided to kill him. It was their last act, in the south at least, before going on ceasefire. Not many people shed a tear for him, and some Gardai could not hide their jubilation.

The film is not bad, but director John Boorman's characterisation of him in interviews as an old-style romantic rebel was impossible to stomache. The book is a much more accurate portrait.

One dimension that becomes clear on reading it is the relationship of paramilitary activity with organised crime. The IRA regarded Cahill as undesirable competition at a time when they themselves were raising funds through robbery, kidnap and extortion. His perception was they were no different to himself.

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 05:53 PM

Just to bring us back to the music.... Brendan Gleeson's brother Barry is a very fine traditional singer! For that matter, Brendan plays a neat fiddle!

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 06:01 PM

Sounds like a real jerk, not somebody I need in my life!! (and I thought this thread was going to be about General Colin Powell--the "new" US Secretary of State"......ah well, assumptions.........

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Brendy
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 05:41 AM

Nor is he ever likely to be, Sarah.

I remember Brendan O'Brien from RTÉ following 'The General' round the streets of Dublin with a microphone, and a news crew, in an attempt to interview the publicity-shy man.

B.

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Luke
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 08:52 AM

I lived in Bloomington In. so long I thought it was about Bobby Knight.

Luke

Subject: RE: BS: The General
From: Gervase
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 10:12 AM

The bizarre thing about Cahill was how he got both the IRA and the Loyalist terrorists involved in trying to offload the Beit collection - showing that hard cash and greed can make the strangest bedfellows.
Boorman's film was a piece of over-romanticised twaddle, though. Funny how often we're asked to suspend disbelief at the actions of thugs and psychopaths - witness the obsession with the equally unpleasant Kray family in the UK.
Still, let enough time pass, and distance lends enchantment to any sort of nastiness - Bonnie and Clyde were a right pair of little shits by all accounts, and if ever there was a real Robin Hood a guinea to a groat says he was a bad 'un too!
Still, we folkies are among the worse hagiographers - all those black-letter ballads glorifying the villains must have something to do with it...