Sean Hales

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Sean Hales (died 6 December 1922) was an Irish political activist in the early 20th century. Hales was born in County Cork, both he and his brother Tom Hales were involved in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence.

Hales, was elected to the Dáil as a Sinn Féin candidate. Despite originally being anti-Treaty, Hales was persuaded by Michael Collins to join the pro-Treaty side. He voted for the Treaty, while his brother Tom and a large minority voted against it.

In June 1922, he was elected to the Third Dail as a pro-Treaty Sinn Féin candidate. Shortly afterwards, the Irish Civil War broke out between the pro-treaty faction, who were in favour of setting up the Irish Free State and the anti-Treaty faction, who would not accept the abolition of the Irish Republic.

On 6 December 1922, Hales was killed by anti-Treaty IRA men as he left the Dáil. Another Teachta Dála Pádraic Ó Máille was also shot and badly wounded in the incident. His killing was in reprisal for the Free State's execution of anti-treaty prisoners. In revenge for Hales' killing, four republican leaders, whom the Free State held in custody, were executed on December 8. See also Executions during the Irish Civil War.

According to information passed on to playwright Ulick O'Connor, an anti-Treaty IRA volunteer named Owen Donnelly of Glasnevin was responsible for the killing of Hales. Seán Caffrey, O'Connor's informant and adjutant of IRA unit at the time of the shooting, stressed however that Donnelly had not been ordered to shoot Hales specifically but was following the general order issued by Liam Lynch to shoot TDs or Senators if they could.[1]