General Sean Mac Eoin PM A good Lafayette colour portrait photograph showing MacEoin in National Army uniform,1920s, standing, his hand on his sword, circa 8 ins x 5 1/2 ins, in original mount,...

General Sean Mac Eoin PM A good Lafayette colour portrait photograph showing MacEoin in National Army uniform,1920s, standing, his hand on his sword, circa 8 ins x 5 1/2 ins, in original mount, signed by Mac Eoin and inscribed 'To my cousin Annie Coyle', the photograph signed Frank O'Reilly. * Gen. Sean Mac Eoin (McKeon), 'the Blacksmith of Ballinalee', from Co. Longford, was a close associate of Michael Collins in the War of Independence. He defeated a force of Black-and-Tans at Ballinalee after an all-night battle in November 1920. He was later arrested and sentenced to death; at Collins' insistence, his release was made a condition for the Truce in 1921. He supported the Treaty and joined the National Army, becoming Chief of Staff 1923. He was later Minister for Justice and Defence in inter-party governments, and was an unsuccessful Fine Gael candidate for the Presidency in 1945 and 1959.

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