The Republican sniper is located on a rooftop near the O’Connell Bridge in the war-torn city of Dublin, where the Republicans and Free Staters are waging a civil war. Given the fact that the sniper is in a war zone and the sun is rapidly going down, smoking a cigarette could easily give away his position to an enemy sniper and make him a target, which is exactly what happens.
At the beginning of the story, the Republican sniper quickly eats his sandwich, takes a sip of whiskey, and lights a cigarette. Almost immediately, a bullet from an enemy sniper positioned on the opposite roof strikes the parapet near the Republican sniper. Either the spark from the match or the smoke from the cigarette attracts the enemy sniper's attention, which gives away the Republican sniper's location. The Republican sniper is then forced to trick the enemy sniper into believing that he is dead in order to survive.
In "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty, it is too risky for the sniper to smoke because the flash from his match could reveal his location to his enemies.
In the story, we learn that the Republicans and the Free Staters are at war. The sniper is a Republican, and he is keeping watch on a rooftop. He is ravenous and soon devours a sandwich hungrily. We get the idea that he is ready for action and impatient for the fighting to begin.
After eating, he takes a gulp of whiskey from his flask and then debates whether he should chance a smoke. Instinctively, he knows that his enemies are keeping watch as well. Because it is night, a flash from his match would draw attention to his position. So, it would be a risk to light up.
In the end, he decides to take the risk. His risk, however, is rewarded by an incoming bullet. The sniper ends up having to snuff out his cigarette. Although irritated, he has no choice but to return to the business of war.
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