Ned Cronin


Edward "Ned" J. Cronin, known simply as Ned Cronin was an Irish army officer, senior member of Fine Gael and a leader of the Blueshirts.

Personal life

He was the son of John and Johanna Cronin. One of his children, Noel died in 1930 aged 10 months.

Biography

He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty and joined the Free state army, he was made a Commandant.
He was a founding member of the Blueshirts and was made its General secretary.
It was Cronin who suggested that they adopt the now iconic blue uniform so that they could recognise each other during riots.
He was co-Vice president of Fine Gael along with W. T. Cosgrave and James Dillon.
When Eoin O'Duffy, the former leader of the Blueshirts resigned as leader of Fine Gael he attempted to retake his old position. Cronin refused to accept this and the Blueshirts split into two factions, the pro-Cronin faction and the pro-O’Duffy faction.
Cronin opposed the formation of the Irish Brigade for the purposes of fighting in the Spanish Civil War, saying it had as much chance to reach Zaragoza as it did of reaching the moon.
He emigrated to England after financial problems caused by his involvement in the Blueshirts. The Taoiseach John A. Costello invited him back to serve as an adviser to the government but he died on the trip over. He was buried in Shandrum, Newtownshandrum, County Cork.