Dear Rootschatters
Would anyone with an interest in Irish military history happen to know if the man in uniform in this picture is one Major General Liam Hayes, walking through Dublin with a pal c.1940s? I understand that Hayes was well known during the Irish War of Independence and later became Chairman of the National Stud in Ireland.
The man wearing civvies is called Pat O'Connor - he was a first cousin of my late mother. The back of the photo just says "first cousin Pat O'Connor in civvies, with friend." No more information beyond that.
The reason I ask, is that a Major General Liam Hayes died in Dublin 1959 when his car collided with a bus, and it was reported in the newspapers that my cousin Pat O'Connor gave very brief evidence at the inquest to say he had been socialising with him at the Clarence Hotel in Dublin the night of the accident.
Pat O'Connor also mentioned in his evidence that they'd had a couple of whiskeys and had been "discussing the Cheltenham Races", which might suggest a link with horse racing - Hayes being Chairman of National Stud - or maybe that's just a coincidence. Maj General Hayes left the hotel that evening and died in the tragic accident on his way home.
We've never been able to identify Pat's military friend in this picture, but coming across the newspaper article of the inquest today made me think.
I've tried to find other pictures of Major General Hayes on-line, but can only find one very grainy snap of a much younger man from which it's way, way too difficult to determine a likeness.
All suggestions welcome!
Many thanks
Runner55
