The RIC attended every political meeting and took notes. Notes on the more seditious speeches were sent to the County Inspector who sent them on to RIC HQ in the Phoenix Park. They made decisions whether or not to issue arrest warrants. Thomas Ashe’s speech in question made in Ballinalee may have been the reason for his arrest in 1917.

RIC notes on Thomas Ashe speech at Ballinalee 25th July 1917