# Commandant Dan Gallagher — The Informer character guide

> Commandant Dan Gallagher in The Informer by Liam O’Flaherty.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Commandant Gallagher, Gallagher, Daniel, Danny Gallagher, Dan, the great Gallagher, Comrade Dan Gallagher, Comrade Gallagher, VII Gallagher

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

The hunted commandant of a revolutionary cell, Gallagher runs interrogations by lamplight and decides, with ashen calm, who among his own men must be wiped out.

## Relationships

### [Gypo Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/gypo_nolan)

_rivalry_

Dan is the revolutionary leader betrayed by Gypo, creating a tense dynamic of authority and guilt.

### [Mary McPhillip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/mary_mcphillip)

_romantic_

Dan and Mary are lovers, with Mary deeply devoted to Dan despite the danger.

### [Bartly Mulholland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/bartly_mulholland)

_professional_

Bartly serves as a loyal subordinate to Dan in the revolutionary organization.

### [The Rat Mulligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/the_rat_mulligan)

_professional_

Dan uses Rat as an informant and low-level operative in the revolutionary network.

### [Dart Flynn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/dart_flynn)

_professional_

Dan relies on Dart as a trusted comrade and fellow revolutionary leader.

### [Gypo Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/gypo_nolan)

_rivalry_

Dan is the revolutionary leader betrayed by Gypo, creating a tense dynamic of authority and guilt.

### [Gypo Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/gypo_nolan)

_rivalry_

Dan is the revolutionary leader betrayed by Gypo, creating a tense dynamic of authority and guilt.

### [Mary McPhillip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/mary_mcphillip)

_romantic_

Dan and Mary are lovers, with Mary deeply devoted to Dan despite the danger.

### [The Rat Mulligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/the_rat_mulligan)

_professional_

Dan uses Rat as an informant and low-level operative in the revolutionary network.

### [Mary McPhillip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/mary_mcphillip)

_romantic_

Dan and Mary are lovers, with Mary deeply devoted to Dan despite the danger.

### [Bartly Mulholland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/bartly_mulholland)

_professional_

Bartly serves as a loyal subordinate to Dan in the revolutionary organization.

### [Bartly Mulholland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/bartly_mulholland)

_professional_

Bartly serves as a loyal subordinate to Dan in the revolutionary organization.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as having ordered Gypo and McPhillip expelled from the Revolutionary Organization and nearly having them shot.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/v)

Gallagher is waiting at Ryan's pub to see Gypo, though he does not speak in this chapter.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/vi)

Becomes a public figure after the farm-labourers' strike and murder; denounced the murder as a 'foul crime'; described as a 'slippery customer' by official quarters; criticized in a secret report for ruling as a dictator.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/vii)

Leads the confrontation with Gypo; later visits the McPhillip home and speaks privately with Mary.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/viii)

Gallagher is mentioned by Gypo as a promise of reinstatement into the Revolutionary Organization, giving Gypo a sense of power and legitimacy.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/xi)

Gallagher leads the interrogation, alternating between friendly cajolery and brutal accusation, ultimately pointing Gypo out as the informer.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/xii)

Presides over the court that condemns Gypo, gives execution orders, and then confronts Mary McPhillip, torn between his desire for her and his commitment to revolutionary justice.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/xv)

Panics after Gypo's escape, organizes pursuit, then reveals his vulnerability and philosophical reflections to Mary.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/xvi)

Appears in Gypo's vision as a haunting memory with glittering eyes.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/xvii)

Receives the news from Mulholland, rouses Mary McPhillip, and orders her restrained when she protests the planned execution.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/chapters/xviii)

Seen by Gypo standing outside the church, smiling insolently, and later turning away.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters/commandant_dan_gallagher
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_informer_se/characters