Michael Collins

s:495:"Collins had a crucial role in working out the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921, but on the outbreak of the savage civil war of 1922-23 he conducted the campaign against the anti-Treaty rebels with flair and ruthless energy. When Griffith died suddenly on 12 August 1922, Collins became head of state as well as commander-in-chief of the army. Ten days later, while on a tour of inspection in his home county, General Collins was ambushed by the IRA and fatally shot. He was only 31 years old.";