AN Saorstat, The Free State - datelined Dublin Wednesday August 30th, 1922 - appeared in newsagents around the country. It is a reprint of the original, with some additional pages, and the only modern thing about it is the £2 price and the bar-code in the corner. The edition in question has been brought out by an enthusiast, Niall Hayes of Trim, on his own initiative. A grandson of Brigadier Michael Leahy OC of the 4th Battalion 1st
Cork Brigade, who knew Collins well but ended up on the other side, he is unemployed but managed to raise £8,000 for the project and says it has been well-received everywhere.
The Free State contains numerous photus of Collins, his associates and his funeral as well as appreciations by Eoin MacNeill, Kevin O'Higgins and Piaras Beaslai and General Richard Mulcahy's graveside oration.
