1938 - 1 January, 1991

Born in Cork to a Republican family. Joined the movement at the age of 17. Took part in the attack on Brookborough barracks on 1 January 1957 that resulted in the death of his comrades Sean South and Fergal O' Hanlon. Was later interned but escaped with Ruiari o' Bradaigh on 27 September 1958. Became IRA director of Operations. Wounded in action against the british in 1959 he was captured and held until 1963. In 1970 he helped to re-organise the Republican Movement into what would become the Provisional group. Among other things, he was also able to procure arms for the IRA to help in the defence of the Nationalist areas then under attack by the british, as well as loyalist mobs. Launched the book "Freedom Struggle" in 1973.

He is best known as the primary architect of the Eire Nua proposal that is still the best hope for a peaceful United Ireland. Prior to the onset of internment in 1971 he presented his idea of Eire nua to the Republican leadership, who gave him the O.K. to go ahead with it. On 11 August, 1971, two days after the beginning of internment, the Army Council of the IRA wholeheartedly backed endorsed Eire Nua in a public statement calling for a new alternative form of government in the North of Ireland. One week later Ruairi O' Bradaigh, President of Sinn Fein, also publicly endorsed it. The response from Nationalists and loyalists was immediately positive. The response from Dublin however, was not. The thought of losing their carefully cultivated power caused bitter feelings in Dublin, which did all it could to undermine the idea. the british were no better, and Eire Nua was not able to get the international exposure it needed to flourish. Despite all they have done though, the idea is still the best there is. Part of the reason is that O'Conaill continued to update it throughout his life.

It was at his proposal that Bobby Sands contested in the Fermanagh\South Tyrone elections while on hunger strike in 1981. This move, and Sands victory helped to gain more exposure to the plight of the hunger strikers. In 1986 he assisted in the formation of Republican Sinn Fein which is the only party with a true continuation of Republican principles as set forth in 1916. As Vice -President he was a great influence over the organisation. He completed "Towards A Peaceful Ireland" shortly before his death. A branch (Cumann) of RSF in Monaghan is named in his memory.