Sean macstiofain biography

Irish Republican Army member (–)

Seán Mac Stíofáin (born John Edward Drayton Stephenson; 17 February &#;– 18 May ) was an English-born chief of staff of the Provisional IRA, a position he held between and

Childhood

Although he used the Gaelicised version of name in later life, Mac Stíofáin was born John Edward Drayton Stephenson in Leytonstone, London, in An only child, his father was an English solicitor's clerk and his mother a Londoner of Ulster Protestanteast Belfast descent.^[1][2] He stated his mother had left an impression on him at the age of seven with her instruction:

"I'm Irish, therefore you're Irish… Don't forget it."^[3]

His childhood was marred by his alcoholic father.

His mother, who doted over her son, died when Mac Stíofáin was Mac Stíofáin attended Catholic schools, where he came into contact with pro-Sinn Féin Irish students.^{[citation needed]}

He left school in at the age of 16 and worked