 With the passing of the third Home Rule Act 1914 in the House of Commons in May 1914, it “was of great sadness to him” that William O'Brien's independent All-for-Ireland League party withheld voting for the act (on the grounds that it was a ‘partition deal’).When the Irish Volunteer Movement was recognised by the Irish Party in 1914 he threw himself into it heart and soul.He was by nature always a soldier, its spirit of comradeship and discipline appealed to him.