In March 1922, a relatively unknown member of the IRA was asked by journalists if they could take from his answers that Ireland would have a military dictatorship.

‘You can take it anyway you like,’ he replied.

On Free State today we look at the life of Rory O’Connor who was prepared to go to any lengths for the Republic of his ideals.

We talk to the author of a new biography of O’Connor Gerard Shannon about the fanaticism that drove him.

O’Connor became the public face of opposition to the Treaty but he also became the most human face when he was executed in December 1922, following a decision by the Free State cabinet including his great friend Kevin O’Higgins.

O’Connor had been best man at O’Higgins’s wedding a year before and now O’Higgins was part of the brutal decision to have him executed.

Shannon explains too why O’Connor faded from memory after his death and the extraordinary coincidence behind the killing of O’Higgins as he walked home from Mass in 1927.

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In the 19th century, Manchester first began to be a destination for immigrants.

It was Scottish, Welsh and Irish in huge numbers who shaped the city and made it their home.

Over the next hundred years, immigrants from across the world turned Manchester into the city it was. It was this vibrant and complex city that Matt Busby loved and which saw him shape the great Manchester United sides in its image.

As a lifelong supporter of Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe might have known that.

Last week the Manchester United minority owner said the U.K. had been ‘colonised by immigrants’.

On Free State today we explore what drives the billionaire class to demonise the most vulnerable in society.

Ratcliffe apologised if ‘my choice of language has offended some people’ but in doing so he revealed more about what drives him.

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When the Irish football team was drawn against Israel last week, many people in Ireland immediately hoped the game wouldn’t happen.

Instead as the days have passed, the game seems more likely not less.

On Free State today we look at what has stopped Israel being banned from sport while Russia have been.

Dion wonders what a boycott would achieve and explains how Uefa and Fifa have failed to act.

Joe disagrees and calls on the Ireland team to represent the Irish people and take a stand.

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