[3] Charlie McGlade became the O/C of the Northern Command, Jimmy Steele became Adjutant, also appointed was Seán McCaughey as Quartermaster.
In 1940 McGlade stepped down as O/C of Northern Command and appointed McCaughey to the position.
These counties were effectively the "war zone" where paramilitary operations were planned and carried out.
The role of the IRA Southern Command, covering the remaining 21 counties, would be to provide logistical support for the campaign in the north.
Veteran republicans such as Joe Cahill and Billy McKee opposed the idea fearing a split in the movement, but Chief of Staff Seamus Twomey backed the idea and a new Northern Command was formed in late 1976.