My report has not been printed and circulated, not so much because of precedents in the matter of Defence reports but because of pressure of work up to the last minute. If the House desires it, it can be copied and circulated. The report is as follows:—
26th April, 1922.
Policy.—Since the inception of the new Ministry, the policy with regard to the Army has been to strengthen it in every possible way, in arms and equipment and in the solidification of the material and organisation that existed. It was arranged with the Provisional Government that all evacuated military and police posts passing into their hands as a result of the Treaty would be taken over by the Army for purposes of their maintenance and safeguard; the expenses entailed by such occupation being charged to Provisional Government funds. Volunteers were asked for to undertake to give full-time military service for a period of 18 months. By the utilisation of these barracks for organisation and training purposes we have been able materially to increase the strength of our organisation and the efficiency of our forces. By the employment of those buildings we have been able to relieve to some extent unemployment existing among Volunteers.
Interferences with Policy.—The increase in the effectiveness of the Army that was hoped for, while it has been very considerable, has been seriously interfered with by an attempt to divide the Army on the Pro-Treaty— Anti-Treaty question. This attempt began as early as 11th January, 1922. A statement has already been made in this matter, but it is well that it should be reviewed here. (See Appendix “A”).
Not satisfied to leave the matter rest here, together with the Chief of Staff I travelled to Mallow on Monday 20th March, and met there the Divisional Staff of the 1st Southern Division, together with the Brigade Commandant of that Division, and after discussing the situation there we made the following offer (see Appendix "B").
The Dáil Cabinet could not agree to 5 or 6.
As far as is known this offer was turned down without any reference to the general body of officers who had been collected to the Anti-Treaty side.
On 23rd March a summons to a sectional Convention was issued, signed by five Divisional Commandants and 29 Brigade Commandants out of a total of 14 Divisional and 71 Brigade Commandants.
The Sectional Convention was held on 26th March. An Executive was set up, and the policy disclosed itself that the Army was to be split in order that at least some portion of it might be drawn away in the spirit of Dictatorship with a view to suppressing by force the pending elections.
The Limerick episode disclosed the extent to which even as early as the beginning of February the movement to split the Army had gone and the extent to which those who were driving this split were prepared to go.
In the matter of handing over barracks for occupation by local volunteers, the fact that the local O/C. might not agree with our policy had not been allowed to make any difference; even to the extent that where in the Tipperary No. 3 Brigade there was very definite indiscipline on the part of the Brigade Staff and serious interferences with local persons and property, barracks were handed over to the local troops in the hope that with responsibility placed upon them the rank and file of the Army in that area could be relied upon to exert an influence sufficiently strong to reduce that indiscipline.
When the Barracks in Limerick came to be occupied on 23rd February the position was such that this policy had to be departed from.
On Saturday, 18th February, the Brigade Commandant of the Mid. Limerick Brigade, in whose area the City was, issued a Proclamation repudiating the authority of G.H.Q. The nearest commanding Officer, namely the O/C. of the 1st Western Division was instructed to occupy these Barracks. (See Appendix "C").
Seceding Volunteers under what is known as the Executive have interfered with our officers and men in their work of organisation by:—Attacks of persons, Shootings of persons, Seizure of posts, Attacks on our transport, Systematic attacks on our military posts, Seizure of stores.
They have been helped in this matter by the fact that they are countenanced by a section of the Dáil Opposition, who, in spite of their acts, their repudiations of the authority of the Dáil, and in spite of their declared aims, portray them as the only true followers in Pearse's footsteps.
In many districts the difficulty in holding the Organisation in any way intact has been very great. Hundreds of men from Cork, Kerry and Limerick have been intercepted by armed bands while on their way to link up with G.H.Q. at Dublin, and they have been imprisoned and ill-treated.
Mails are regularly interfered with in order to intercept correspondence passing between outlying Units and G.H.Q.
Nevertheless it is possible to report a very satisfactory and a daily growing grip on practically the whole country.
To-day the Chief of Staff, who has personally visited the greater part of the country, has published in the Press a general superficial report upon the state of organisation generally.
Police.—In addition to the work of strengthening the Army and occupying evacuated military posts, we have undertaken the work of policing the country, and to this end have occupied a large number of evacuated police barracks. Owing to the secession of some senior officers this work of policing has suffered very much in some parts of the country. Many cases have arisen in which the local authorities or local committees have desired to set up a local police force and in some cases have desired to finance this force from the rates.
The actual position in this matter is that there would be no difficulty in properly policing all areas if there were no repudiation of the Dáil authority on the part of the seceding Army officers. Funds are available for the purpose and it should be generally understood that in these areas where there is difficulty with regard to police at present, the policing of the areas shall have proper attention as soon as a proper and responsible command is established in these areas.
EVACUATION.
Police.—The evacuation of the R.I.C. has been completed, except that there are still a number awaiting demobilisation at the demobilisation stations at Collins-town, Gormanstown, Depot Phœnix Park and at Dublin Castle. In all about 250 positions have been taken over.
Military.—The number of military positions taken over is approximately 40. The following places outside the Six County Area have yet to be evacuated by them:—Cork; Ballincollig; Youghal; Curragh Camp; Naas; Richmond Barracks, Dublin; Royal Hospital, Dublin; Portobello; Royal Barracks; Island Bridge Ordnance; G.H.Q., Parkgate St; South Dublin Union; Royal Infirmary; Magazine Fort; Baldonnel Aerodrome; some hutments at Queenstown.
In the Six County Area troops are stationed at the following points:— Derry; Omagh; Enniskillen; Armagh; Newry; Ballykinlar; Hollywood (Down); Belfast and Antrim.
COMPENSATION.
Arrangements are being made to initiate a scheme of compensation for losses arising out of war services rendered, and under the following heads:—(1) Dependants of Volunteers killed; (2) Disabilities resulting from wounds received or from ill-health attributable to service. (3) Educational and other programmes interrupted by military service. (4) Grievous distress occasioned by forced neglect of means of livelihood owing to service.
LANDS.
No lands held by the British War Department in Ireland have yet been formally handed over with the exception of the Remount Department at Lusk. The handing over of these lands is being pressed for.
DEBTS.
Certain sums are properly owing to certain Divisions and Brigades in respect of debts incurred by them. In respect of those areas whose senior officers have repudiated the authority of the Dáil, consideration of payment of those debts is help up until the necessary command has been solidly established in those areas and until it is clear that the payment of these debts would not be a prop to mutiny.
On 14th February the sum of £3,900 was paid to the Adjutant of the 4th Western Division for the payment of debts due to traders in the area, West-port, Galway, Clifdon, Oughterard. The debts were to have been cleared and all receipted vouchers submitted to the Chief of Staff by 14th March. The vouchers have not been submitted and it is not known to what extent, if any, the debts have been cleared.
NEW ARMY.
Apart from the very serious political aspect of the doings of the seceding section of the Army, the economic aspect of their doings is very serious. They have been raiding monies, raiding properties, destroying properties, commandeering goods, interfering with the Press, commandeering buildings, and much of this work is done under cover of the declaration of the Belfast Boycott.
(a) Raids on Post Offices (See Appendix “D”).
(b) Interference with Railways (Northern) (See Appendix “E”).
(c) Interference with Railways (D.S. Eastern) (See Appendices “F” and “G”).
(d) Destruction of Property in Bulk (Port and Docks) (See Appendix “H”).
(e) The passage from the Belfast Boycott to Private Property (Donnelly, Porter Sons) (See Appendices “K” and “L”).
(f) Extensive damage has been done to the Freeman's Journal printing plant. Their papers had been previously seized in thousands all over the country. Daily at present the Independent is being seized in thousands.
72 cases of commandeering and interference are reported within the Dublin City area since 1st April.
The Shell Motor Spirit Co. have been so seriously interfered with, losing over 4,000 gallons of spirit between 3rd and 19th April, that they have threatened to close down their Firm temporarily.
The Irish people in definite localities, or as a whole, must some time bear the cost of all this loss and destruction.
Propaganda is going on attributing militarisim to the forces of the I.R.A. acting under the Dáil. The Labour Party, in their statement the other day, say that they have ample evidence "that men in both forces are guilty in many instances of inexcusable aggression and a desire to domineer over the unarmed people. We have demanded that this state of affairs should cease and that the military forces should be brought to recognise the sovereignty of the people."
We have asked the Labour Party for any evidence that they have to produce with regard to any individual acts of aggression by any of our forces; or any acts that would show that our forces do not recognise the sovereignty of the people. As far as this assembly is concerned, I hope that I need not remind those who have been associated with it for the last two or three years that those responsible for the direction of the Army during that time have protested over and over again that the Army had a special sphere of its own.
Together with this type of propaganda, pushing over on the I.R.A. proper the discredit earned by the seceders, there is "dope" being given out about "soldier politicians," endeavour being thereby made to brand those who at present command the Army with a nebulous kind of brand, attributing to them some of that mental sleight of hand attributed to low class politicians, with a view to undermining the confidence of the Army in them.
There is very clear documentary evidence available to show that those responsible for the control of the Army at the present time act in the best interests of the country and act purely as soldiers in the highest significance of that word.
APPENDIX A.
The following is a statement of the genesis of the Army situation, which has culminated in the forbidding of an Army Convention by the Dáil Cabinet Order of March 16th, and the summoning by certain officers in defiance of that Order of a Convention for Sunday, March 26th:—
1. The correspondence given in Appendix A and initiated on January 11th, 1922 in which the summoning of a Convention is requested by a number of officers.
2. A meeting of Divisional and Brigade Commandants in Dublin on January 18th at which this request was discussed and of which a brief report is attached—Appendix B.
Majority Against.—It was made perfectly clear at this meeting that the terms of the letter of the Minister for Defence, dated January 13th, stood, and that before a Convention could be sanctioned permission to the Dáil should be obtained. It was also made perfectly clear that the majority of the officers present considered that it was very inadvisable that a Convention be held at present and that they agreed to the holding of a Convention only because the alternative was that a section of the officers would themselves call a Convention and a break in the strength of the Army be thereby created at a time when the British were beginning the evacuation of their forces.
3. A meeting of Divisional and Brigade Commandants on February 24th, at which it was agreed that the Convention should be held on Sunday, March 26th. At this meeting it was made clear by the Minister for Defence that owing to the postponement of the Dáil meeting from February 14th to February 26th the permission of the Dáil for the holding of the Convention had not been obtained and the orders summoning the Convention would not be issued until after such permission had been obtained. It was decided at this meeting that a meeting of Divisional and Brigade Commandants would again be held on March 15th with a view to settling upon an agreed agenda, and that in the meantime delegates would be selected for the Convention, simply as such, without reference to any particular resolution.
That no resolutions other than the resolutions to be agreed on at the meeting of March 15th be accepted from any Unit of the Army.
4. Having previously foreshadowed to the Dáil Cabinet that a proposal to call a Convention of the Volunteers was under consideration, the Minister for Defence, at a Cabinet meeting on February 27th indicated that he desired to ask permission from the Dáil at its meeting on February 28th for the holding of a Convention.
The spirit in which this Convention was being called is indicated in the note —Appendix C—in the terms of which note it was proposed to put the matter before the Dáil.
The Limerick Episode.—Considering it inadvisable that it should be made publicly known that a Volunteer Convention was being held, the Cabinet decided that the matter should not be brought before the Dáil and accepted the recommendation of the Minister for Defence that the Convention be proceeded with. In the meantime there occurred the Limerick episode, 3—11th March, indicative of the thoughtless and indisciplined tendencies that were developing in the Army as a result of the political influences working upon it.
It also became manifest that in some areas the agreement of the meeting of February 24th, namely that delegates would be selected for the Convention without reference to any particular resolutions, was not kept, but that for some reason various political issues were being put before some of the meetings called to select delegates. Those issues ranged from forcing Volunteers to vote on a Free State versus Republic issue to appeals for delegates who would "get rid of the present G.H.Q. Staff."
To Prevent the Elections.—There also appeared something like a systematic attempt to infuse among the rank and file of the Army the idea that the “Army must prevent the election taking place.”
6. At the Dáil Cabinet on March 15th, specially discussing the implications of the Limerick episode and the Convention which had been called, the Minister for Defence had to admit to the Cabinet that he could nto guarantee that if this Convention was held there would not be set up a body regarding itself as a military Government not responsible to the people; and that he had given no hope of having generally accepted for putting before the Convention a resolution:
(1) Agreeing to appoint by election from among serving officers a Commission to frame and place before a subsequent Convention to be held after the General Election, proposals for associating the I.R.A. with whatever Irish Government was then in authority; and,
(2) Disclaiming any intention of setting up a military Government as opposed to any Government elected by the people.
Convention Forbidden.—7. In view of this and of the implications of the general agitation with regard to the Army, the Cabinet unanimously decided that the proposed Convention should be forbidden.
8. This decision, together with a general statement of the circumstances leading up to it was communicated to a meeting of Divisional and Brigade Comport mandants, which met on the evening of March 15th.
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
(Appendix A.).
11th January, 1922.
To
Richard Mulcahy, T.D.
A Chara,
We, the undersigned members of the G.H.Q. Staff, Divisional Commdts., etc. of the Irish Republican Army, hereby request that a Convention of the Army be called, not later than Sunday, 5th February, 1922, for the purpose of considering the resolution attached herewith.
We also require—
(1) That the machinery for calling and carrying out the work of the Convention be made up of an equal number of persons, appointed by you on the one hand and by a Committee representing the undersigned on the other hand.
(2) That a Chairman of the Convention be appointed by mutual agreement between you and this Committee.
Basis of Representation.—(3) The basis of representation at the Convention shall be:—(a) All Divisional Commandants shall be ex officio delegates; (b) Other delegates shall be selected as follows:
1 delegate selected at a Company parade where 30 or less attend; 2 delegates where number is over 30 or under 70; 3 delegates where number is over 70.
Those delegates shall attend Brigade Convention, shall select for the General Convention 5 p.c. of the total number of delegates to the Brigade Convention. In the event of 5 p.c. amounting to a whole number and a fraction, the number of delegates shall be brought up to the next whole number.
All officers and men are equally eligible for appointment as delegates at Company and Brigade Conventions, with the exception of Divisional Commandants, who are ex officio delegates to the General Convention. We will await a reply up to 2 p.m. on 13th inst. to this office.
Signed,
Rory O'Connor, Director of Engineering, G.H.Q.; Liam Mellowes, G.H.Q.; Jos. O'Donovan, Director of Chemicals, G.H.Q.; Seán Russell, Director of Munitions G.H.Q.; Oscar Traynor, O/C. Dublin Brigade; A. McDonnell, O/C. Sth. Dublin Brigade; Liam Lynch, O/C. 1st Southern Division; M. McCormack, O/C. 3rd Southern Division; Thos. Maguire, O/C. 2nd Western Division; Wm. Pilkington, O/C. 3rd Western Division; M. Mac Giollarnáth, O/C. 4th Western Division.
In addition to above, the O/C. 2nd Southern Division is in agreement with the policy outlined herein, but his signature will not be available for some hours. It is understood that other Divisional Commandants are also in agreement.
Proposed Resolution.—“That the Army re-affirms its allegiance to the Irish Republic.
"That it shall be retained as the Army of the Irish Republic, under an Executive appointed by the Convention.
"That the Army shall be under the supreme control of such Executive, which shall draft a Constitution for submission to a subsequent Convention."
Minister's Reply. To: Each Signatory. 13th January, 1922.
Attached is a copy of a communication received by me on 12th inst., bearing your name typed as a signatory. In reply I have to say:
1. That the Dáil as a whole is the elected Government of the Irish Republic and that the supreme control of the Army is vested in it, and,
2. That the proposal contained in the resolution to change the supreme control of the Army is entirely outside the constitutional powers vested in the Dáil Executive by the Dáil.
I am making arrangements to meet and discuss this matter with you within the next few days.—Beir Beannacht,
Minister for Defence.
Commdt. O'Connor's Answer.—To: The Chief of Staff, 18th January, 1922.
I am directed by the signatories to the letter of 12th inst., addressed to Mr. R. Mulcahy, Minister for Defence, to say that in view of the fact that you cannot see your way to call a Convention of the whole Army, that a Convention will be called by the signatories referred to.
Further, that we repeat our desire to co-operate with you in hastening the evacuation of the country by enemy troops, but to that end the signatories can only act on orders issued by you and countersigned by me. Rory O'Connor, Chairman, Acting Military Council, I.R.A.
APPENDIX B.
The January Agreement.—A meeting of General Staff and all Divisional and independent Brigade Commandants was held in Dublin on January 18th. The following were present:—
Minister for Defence.
Chief of Staff.
Adjutant-General.
Quartermaster-General.
Director of Training.
Director of Engineering.
Director of Munitions.
Director of Chemicals.
Director of War Publicity.
Commandants of the following Divisions:—3rd Southern, 4th Western, 5th Northern, 1st Eastern, and Midland and the Commandants of the following Brigades:—No. 1 Dublin, No. 2 Dublin, Wexford North and Wexford South, and Carlow. The Minister for Defence presided.
From Army Viewpoint.—2. The meeting was convened by the Minister for Defence consequent on an application made to him by certain members of the Staff and by certain Divisional and Brigade Commandants, requesting him to take immediate steps to hold a Volunteer Convention, the object of such Convention being to visualise the present national position from the Army point of view, and to submit to the Convention the resolutions given in Appendix A.
3. It was contended that the action of the majority in the Dáil in supporting the Treaty involving the setting up of an Irish Free State was a subversion of the Republic and relieved the Army from its allegiance to An Dáil, hence the necessity for a Convention to consider above resolution.
Elected Government.—As against it was contended:—
(a) That this resolution involved a change in the supreme control of the Army.
(b) That the Dáil, as a whole, is the elected Government of the Irish Republic and that the supreme control of the Army is vested in it.
(c) That a Convention at this juncture would tend to have a disrupting effect on the Army, as the differences which now exist would probably then take definite shape involving a split.
(d) That there was no definite Army policy to put before a Convention until the new Irish Constitution was drafted, and the position of the I.R.A. in relation thereto required to be defined.
(e) That the Army continues as the I.R.A.
Watching Council of Four.
5. After much discussion it was unanimously agreed that:—
(a) A Council of four, two from signatories requesting Convention, and two from remainder of Divisional Officers, be set to act as a Watching Council and Advisory Body under the Chief of Staff, as a guarantee that the Republican aim shall not be prejudiced.
(b) If any two members of the above Council decide that any proposal of the Staff is inimical to the Republic such proposal shall be dropped.
(c) This arrangement to hold for two months from date (18th January), when a Convention will be called.
APPENDIX C.
Note of Minister for Defence for Dáil Meeting, February 28th.
Convention.—As a result of urgings on the part of some members of G.H.Q. Staff and some Divisional Commandants, it is proposed to call a Convention of the Volunteers for the purpose of electing an Executive, which Executive, it is proposed, shall control the Army and draft a Constitution determining the nature of that control. This proposal reverts the control of the Army back to the days before the disbandment of the Volunteer Executive. The object of this is to restore to the Army a control which shall be expressive of their feelings, and in which the Army as a whole may expect to have confidence.
In the present uncrystallised state of Government in the country, some feel that the Army may be used for party purposes, and the proposal is one which, if given effect to, will consolidate and strengthen the Army.
Personally, I would prefer that this Convention could have been avoided, and I don't accept any responsibility for the fact that it is forced to take place, but I do accept responsibility for recommending to the Dáil that in the circumstances permission for the holding of this Convention shall be given.
The setting up of an Executive in this way does not in actual fact take the Army away from the control of the Dáil. It but secures that, just as in the earlier days of the recent operations, the work of the Army shall be along lines agreed to, not only by the Dáil, but by its own Executive.
(This note indicates the spirit in which it was hoped the Convention would assemble).
APPENDIX B.
Offer made by the Minister for Defence at a Meeting of the 1st Southern Division on 20th March, 1922.
1. A meeting of Brigade and Divisional Commandants with G.H.Q. Staff.
2. To select from among the Divisional and Brigade Commandants—
(a) A Council of say eight Commissions
(b) To frame definite proposals for associating the I.R.A. with the Government elected by the Irish people.
3. To put these proposals before a subsequent meeting of the Divisional and Brigade Commandants, for agreement preparatory to
4. Putting them before the Dáil Cabinet.
(Suggested dates:—1st meeting, Thursday 23rd March—2nd meeting, Saturday 8th April).
The officers of the 1st Southern stated that they were not prepared to give an answer until the following day, Tuesday. On Tuesday O/C. 1st Southern and Adjutant submitted the following as the terms to which they would agree:—
1. A meeting of all Divisional and Brigade O/C's. to be held on Friday 24th inst. (February) for the purpose of selecting a council of 8.
2. This council to be commissioned to frame definite proposals for associating the I.R.A. with the Government elected by the Irish people.
3. These proposals to be put before Divisional and Brigade O/C's. on April 8th.
4. When agreed to, these proposals would be put before Dáil Cabinet.
5. In view of the above the Convention fixed for March 26th is postponed to April 16th.
6. That recruiting for the Civic Guard be discontinued.
(As 5 and 6 could not be agreed to, the proposals failed).
APPENDIX C.
LIMERICK.—Captain Hurley's Arrest.
[Extract].
The position with regard to Limerick is that on Saturday, Feb. 18th, the Brigade Comdt. of the Mid.-Limerick Brigade, in whose area Limerick City is, issued a proclamation repudiating the authority of G.H.Q. On Thursday, Feb. 23, certain barracks in Limerick were evacuated by the British and had to be taken over from them. The O/C. of the 1st Western Division (Clare-Sth. Galway) was instructed as being the nearest responsible officer to occupy these Barracks until such time as the rank and file in Limerick and such officers there as remained loyal to G.H.Q. could be organised to occupy them. For this latter purpose, Capt. Hurley, the Brigade Quartermaster, was instructed to parade the men of the various companies in Limerick with a view of getting a maintenance group to occupy the barracks and allow the 1st Western Division men to return to their Division. He was arrested on Sunday, March 5th.
APPENDIX D.
RAIDS ON POST OFFICES.
From the period 23rd March to 19th April inclusive raids on Post Offices to the number of 331 were carried out. Of these raids 234 took place over the 10 days 29th March to the 7th April inclusive, the counties particularly concerned being Cork, 30; Clare 35; Tipperary, 29; Galway 64; Mayo, 32; Leitrim 18; Roscommon 17. The County, however, appears not to be the Unit of raiding but rather particular Brigade and Divisional areas. For instance, on the 29th March within approximately a ten mile radius of Mullingar seven post offices were raided. On 31st March, within approximately a 15-mile radius of Kanturk 19 post offices were raided. This is a Brigade area in which the Brigade is commanded by a member of this Assembly. On 7th March, within a 15 mile radius of Cooraclare in West Clare, 14 offices were raided. This area is the West-Clare Brigade. On 7th April in the area Galway, Headford, Tuam, Milltown, Ballinasloe, portion of a Divisional area commanded by another member of this Assembly, 14 offices were raided. On 14th April in the Connemara area west of Carroroe-Maam-Leenane, 17 offices were raided. And in Mayo in the area Westport, Swinford, Ballyhaunis, Ballinrobe, between the night 29th March and 1st April inclusive, 22 offices were raided.
|
Date |
No. of Raids |
|
March 23rd |
1 |
|
March 24th |
— |
|
March 25th |
1 |
|
March 26th |
1 |
|
March 27th |
2 |
|
March 28th |
3 |
|
March 29th |
12 |
|
March 30th |
17 |
|
March 31st |
52 |
|
April 1st |
21 |
|
April 2nd |
6 |
|
April 3rd |
37 |
|
April 4th |
16 |
|
April 5th |
14 |
|
April 6th |
9 |
|
April 7th |
50 |
|
April 8th |
6 |
|
April 9th |
1 |
|
April 10th |
15 |
|
April 11th |
6 |
|
April 12th |
11 |
|
April 13th |
3 |
|
April 14th |
23 |
|
April 15th |
15 |
|
April 16th |
— |
|
April 17th |
2 |
|
April 18th |
5 |
|
April 19th |
2 |
|
331 |
SUMMARY OF RAIDS ON POST OFFICES.
|
Town |
No. of Raids |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Dublin |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
|
Carlow |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
|
Waterford |
13 |
|
Cork |
30 |
|
Kerry |
15 |
|
Clare |
35 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
29 |
|
Galway |
64 |
|
Mayo |
32 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
|
Leitrim |
18 |
|
Roscommon |
17 |
|
Total |
326 |
APPENDIX E.
BELFAST BOYCOTT.
Specimens of Railway Interference with on the Great Northern Line.
|
Types of Interference |
Number |
|
Seizure of Goods from Goods Trains, |
24 |
|
Seizure of Goods from Passenger Trains |
15 |
|
Seizure of Goods from Railway Premises |
7 |
|
Destruction of Railway Property |
2 |
|
Seizure of Railway Employees |
2 |
|
Railway Employee ordered from his work |
1 |
|
Total |
51 |
Schedule of Interferences.
|
Places |
2nd Feb. to 7th April |
2nd Feb. to 29th Mar. |
30th Mar. to 7th April |
|
1. Dundalk |
16 |
4 |
12 |
|
2. Dromin Junc. |
10 |
10 |
|
|
3. Dunleer |
4 |
4 |
|
|
4. Inniskeen |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
5. Mountpleasant |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
6. Kellystown |
6 |
6 |
|
|
7. Drogheda |
6 |
6 |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
55 |
12 |
43 |
APPENDIX F.
MEMORANDUM.
Dublin and South Eastern Railway.
|
Date |
Station or Place of Occurrence |
Train |
Particulars |
|
9/4/'22 |
Woodenbridge and Arklow |
Special train from Dublin to Wexford in connection with Pro-Treaty Meeting |
One pair of rails with sleepers removed and thrown down into passway. Company's men held up by armed men and prevented from doing anything, as their tools were taken and thrown into the river |
|
,, |
Enniscorthy |
,,,, |
Driver removed from the engine by armed men and driven away in a motor car, and did not return to station for several hours. Instructions were given that train was not to be moved in his absence |
|
,, |
Gorey—Ferns |
,,,, |
All telegraph and telephone wires cut in the section between Gorey and Ferns stations |
|
,, |
Enniscorthy and Macmine |
All wires cut in the section between Enniscorthy and Macmine stations |
|
|
,, |
Glenmore and New Ross |
Pair of rails and sleepers removed from line in New Ross and Glenmore section. Special train from Waterford to Wexford was delayed in consequence |
|
|
,, |
,, ,, |
All telegraph and telephone wires cut in the section between Glenmore and New Ross |
|
|
,, |
New Ross and Rathgarogue |
Rails taken out and thrown down the bank |
|
|
” |
New Ross |
Special train, Water- ford to Wexford, in connection with Pro-Treaty Meeting |
Held up at New Ross by armed men at 12.5 p.m. who removed the driver and fireman from the engine and took them away in motor car. They were not allowed to do anything before being removed to ensure the safety of the engine, and they did not return until 3.15 p.m. Special train was unable to proceed further than New Ross and had to be returned to Waterford |
APPENDIX H.
MEMORANDUM.
Raid on the Port and Docks Bonded Stores. Specimen of Damage in Bulk.
At 10.57 p.m. on the 6th, three armed men approached from the Store St. site, gained entrance, and locked the watchman in the office. 200 armed men took part. They destroyed about 1000 cases of whiskey valued about £100,000.
The whole of the whiskey destroyed belonged to Messrs. Dunville, Belfast.
APPENDIX K.
"We are business men in Mullingar. On the night of Thursday between the hours of 3 and 4 o'clock a.m. armed forces came to our business premises demanding goods which amounted to about £150, for which they gave us a receipt. They again called yesterday and got more goods for which they also gave a receipt, and they have left us entirely without any butter or sugar for our customers to-day (Saturday). They again called to-day and we refused to give them any more goods. We have decided to close up our business, and turn out our Staff if this thing is allowed to go on, and we ask you for protection, especially during the night time, as we are sure they will not attack us during the day time, as public opinion is against them. (Signed) Porter, Sons & Co., Ltd., Charles V. Porter, Director."
APPENDIX L.
O'Donghaile,
Ath Cliath,
19th April, 1922.
To: The Minister of Defence,
Hon. R. Mulcahy,
Merrion St., Dublin.
Dear Sir,
I am instructed by my Directors to send you the enclosed account for collection. Your prompt attention will much oblige.
Yours faithfully,
E.S. Snow,
for Donnelly Ltd.
Copy of Invoice.
Bacon Curers,
Dublin, 13th April, 1922.
The O/C. Headquarters Supply,
I.R.A., Dublin.
Bought of Donnelly, Ltd.
|
lbs. each |
cwts. |
qrs. |
lbs. |
per cwt. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
15 Long Sides |
86, |
11 |
2 |
2 at |
140/- |
80 |
12 |
6 |
|
20 Long Sides |
90, |
16 |
0 |
8 at |
140/- |
112 |
10 |
0 |
|
3¾ Sides |
35, |
0 |
3 |
21 at |
149/- |
6 |
19 |
9 |
|
One Bag Salt |
2 |
0 |
0 at |
90/- |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2 Meat Saws |
7/6 each |
0 |
15 |
0 |
||||
|
One Bucket Lard |
0 |
0 |
28 at |
75/- cwt. |
0 |
18 |
9 |
|
|
Sausages |
0 |
0 |
56 at |
1/- each |
2 |
16 |
0 |
|
|
Strictly nett |
£213 |
12 |
0 |
