 Shortly afterwards, the Irish Civil War broke out between the pro-Treaty faction, who were in favour of setting up the Irish Free State and the anti-Treaty faction, who would not accept the abolition of the Irish Republic.On 7 December 1922, Hales was killed by anti-Treaty IRA men as he left the Dáil.Another TD, Pádraic Ó Máille, was also shot and badly wounded in the incident.