A Mysterious Old Photograph

[Pennines]

This is really an impossible question (good start!)

I have an old photograph of a soldier - it's in a dreadful condition with bits missing and it is very creased. It doesn't seem to be a family member and I have no idea why my Mum had it.

This armed soldier doesn't look English to me - although I may be wrong of course. He seems to be on guard on the corner of a street!

I was wondering if anyone had any idea when and why this soldier would be standing - armed - in this way.

There is nothing written on the back of the photo.
Many thanks for looking -- any thoughts at all gratefully received. It's just a mystery to me.

[Pennines]

I probably should have added that my father in law was in the Irish Free State Army, prior to joining the RAF in 1948.

Might this photo be an Irish one taken during during some of the past troubles over there I wonder?

My father in law left Ireland in 1948 serving in various countries after that, before settling in England after retiring from the RAF sometime in the 1970s.

[MaxD]

His cap badge is certainly similar to Free State Army badges  example search:
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=0309sWf9&id=18A1275551CA123A87C2027E6DE9BC4F6E82CF8E&thid=OIP.0309sWf9qvQ1xWfq7l5GswHaFq&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.gettyimages.com%2Fphotos%2Fmarch-1922-free-state-army-troops-on-guard-with-rifles-and-bayonets-picture-id3427333&exph=784&expw=1024&q=irish+free+state+army&simid=608030124004082025&ck=D582BADED08F2DF7578AB2C61E6952E9&selectedindex=5&form=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&sim=11

MaxD

[Pennines]

Max -- what a brilliant link! Thank you.

I will try and marry up his badge. Thank you so much for that link and your help.