What is the Socio-economic background of 'The Sniper' ?

It would be difficult to determine the socio-economic
class of the sniper himself since this story takes place during the Irish Civil War and
soldiers came from many economic classes. He is a Republican, which means he was
fighting for the government, but there are not enough hints in the story to tell the
reader what the sniper's socio-economic class was.
 

However, it is possible to give the socio-economic
background of the place in which they are fighting. First of all, it is in the city of
Dublin, the capital of Ireland and seat of its government.  At the end of the story, the
sniper "peers around the corner into O'Connell Street".  O'Connell street is the main
street of Dublin. In the first paragraph it says that "Around the beleaguered Four
Courts the heavy guns roared."  The Four Courts building housed the four courts of
Ireland: the Chancery (Circuit Court, handling licensing,taxation, and any of the King's
affairs), Exchequer (a superior court that dealt mostly with revenue), King's Bench (the
Supreme Court), and Common Pleas ( subject vs. subject).  The building was designed by
James Gandon, who was the architect of the Customs House, although it was heavily
damaged in this civil war. At one time this building was considered one of the finest
buildings in Dublin.

Then at the beginning of the second
paragraph it says "On the rooftop near  O'Connell Bridge, a Republican sniper was
watching."  The O'Connell Bridge was also designed by James Gandon.  It flows over the
River Liffey, which is also named in paragraph one.

Based
on the buildings and streets surrounding this story, it appears to be an upper class
neighborhood. The buildings have designers, government officials did business here, and
it is the center of the capital.  You will note that it says "Everywhere around was
quiet.  There was not much danger in going through the streets".  All the important
people had fled to safety, and the ones left were the soldiers.