ORIGINAL
ROINN
BUREAU
COSANTA.
OF MIILITARY,
STATEMENT
DOCUMENT
BY
NO.
1913-21.
HISTORY WITNESS
W.S.
142
Witness James
O'Connor
Identity
Member
of
St.
Margaret's
Coy.
I.V.
Subject (a)
St.
(b)
Ashbourne
Margaret's
Coy.
from
1913.
1916.
Conditions, it any, stipulated by Witness
File No.
S.1005 Form B.S.M.2.
ORGINAL STATEMENT
I
St.
Hall,
The
Co.
I
did
a membership
given
sign
card
and
the
Michael
equipment.
Thomas
Duke
twice
training
and
was
did
our a
about
At our
at
Farrelly but
and
He was
instructor,
was
week
per
uniform
a
a dozen
members
went
with
with
the
the
Irish
Waiter
Duke,
in
the
Redmond
of
on route
us after
that
Volunteers
side.
Volunteers
and
and
Farrelly
Dunsoughley
two
or
but
firing
the
R.I.C.
marches.
we got
Rifles.
Henry
the
One
We had
at
place
accompanied
gun running
Split
We had
guns.
Tyrrell's
and
Martini
of
wooden
for
parades
on Sundays.
a member.
also
Howth
We had
marches
at
the
time
Richard
arms
Captain.
with
parades
the
remained
Our also
Captain Thos.
of
(Thos.Duke)
Reilly,
Nicholas
myself.
all
nearly
Teehan
afterwards.
joined
and
not
half
twopence
the
Reilly,
on joining,
pay
the
route
.22
our
attended
was
of
Thos. and Walter
Finglas
to
was
and
was
I
we had
Parish
at
present
(dead),
documents
any
Coy.
drill
Tyrrell always
of
purchase
the
week
per
with
practices
Dunne
Duke
Masterson
were
the
at
Reservist.
Army
no arms
not
towards
subscription
British
Thomas
l9l3
November There
Michael
(dead),
Dublin,
Ward.
in
Dublin.
Co.
Margaret's,
Ward, The
Volunteers
I.
Torn Devenish
time
of
the
joined
BY JAMES O'CONNOR, ST. MARGARET'S POST OFFICE, CO. DUBLIN.
All
the
rifles
were
kept
by
were
in
We had
them.
of
possession only
the
National for
shotguns
Volunteers
which
we made
some buckshot.
I John
remained
Redmond
with
drill
hostile
us to
us
I.Vols.
because
I
did
not
like
the
way
was behaving. abd
Con Colbert and
the
Paddy
on some week and
caned
Daly nights.
us
used
to
The
"madmen".
come out people We used
from
were also
the
city
generally to
go to
2.
Swords
for
Dublin
Brigade..
rest
of
drill
the
with
We had
Sunday
We had
all
the
rifles
and
rations
rounds
(12)
was
about
p.m.
12
to
going
the
was
I
went
mobilise
again
at
talk
amongst about
On Easter house. in
While
Dublin. came home
I
joined
12
there
been
was not
with
that
day
the
camp.
or
had I
a bread
think
and
was
it
was
driven
talk
was
in
were
on Sunday.
by
I
watching were
to
but
not
to
our
clothes
food
as
they
full
of
bread
one
of
at
bringing
It
was
and
while
there
was it
but
been
warned
of
Kennedy's
a Volunteer.
the
that
nature.
the Races
and at
as many
noticed
I Dick
the
two the
fire.
on straw killed
bread
if
had
I
night and
cartridges,
hay
This
bow as there
say there.
the
that
alarm That
which
would
roads
started evening.
there
duty
Fairy-
Kileek.
Mulcahy
Was on guard
had
that
(billets)
near
at
had
Rising
Rathbeale.
give
Races
my shotgun
camp
not
I
cart
go home
anything
the
told..
of
plenty
or
that
60
in
to
that
not
heard
I
at
we lay
We had
to
Sunday
coming
until
officially,
went
on the
My orders
told
hat.
there
told
up and
general
There
up on a hill
relieved
got
which
all
not
twelve
a slouch
aware
some
bed.
Races
the
a.m.
became
Roads.
and
and
notice.
confession
on Tuesday,
us
military
Vie had
the
was
about
only
I
Battn.
was about
was
Monday
and
the
had
to
at It
I
went
and
on
Cross
shotgun
we were
fellows.
to
going
and
first
but
shotguns
We were
short
Vie were the
a
had
Lawlesses. when
a "rising".
Rathbeale
a haversack
I
Bn. the
with
7eek,
including I
night
that
Holy
at
us
on Sunday
be
home
with
the
and
Rathbeale
previously
during
mobilised
shot,
there
5th
also.
city
24 hours.'
for
ordinary
to
at
Bn
now the
exercises
activity
we had
there
prepared
we were
the
whole.
arms
of
Tom Ashe
be
the
and
drills
was no special.
Easter
We were
Battalion.
from
Brigade
There
the
He
rest
lead
of into
the R.I.C. saw after being in
the
sheds.
some
lambs
been
commandeered.
vans.
It
was
and
they
a motor
van
3.
On Wednesday I
Garristown. On Thursday
Was i/c
should
of
mention
this
we got
any
arms
there.
raided
the
P.O.
out
in
the
I
of
was
line
the
road
we were
After
they
their
helmets
their
comrades
had
surrender.
the
side
of
sledge
and
told
us,
but
at
me
away from where
barracks and
lorries
the
cross
Just
our
our
from. men was
pulling roads. by
heavily
fall
had if
on the
R.I.C.
were
our not they
and
to
had
was barrack
Garristown
been
hit.
to
cover me a
of
in
door,
the
R.I.C
not
firing
at
road.
Ashe the
then
I
the
main
I I
Firing
ordered
ditch the
saw
road and
did
cars
noticed
from
rifles.
the
break
the
Just
tell
to
them
down along
range1.
firing. on
gave
were
They
the
was
now taken
I
dismounting
sufficient
tell
that
between
men who had
to
and
north
a
Barracks
along
the
charge
without
came
now general.
up
the
to
return to in garrison side them engaged had as Firing
was That
Vie had
at
on the
there
to
on bicycles,
handkerchiefs
forward
him
was
job
was in
there
white
windows.
down
camp.
we set
camp,
our.
Garristown.
return.
upstairs
we
and
not
the
Weston
Rath
prisoners
go with
the
the
to
Torn Ashe
comrades
started
of
as we arrived
the
we
as my shotgun
road.
me to
from
fire
opened
did
police the
door.
were
they
walked
a new
We were
surrendered
sent
to
understood
Charles
we tied
were
they
and
instruments.
in
party I
leading
disarmed
that
The
barrack
road
been
small
cross
Hayes
place.
section. the
us
not remember if do we did not. We also
Batterstown.
Two policemen
and
on the
near
Near
on.
a
Dr.
Barracks
we moved
night
the
of
party
think
the telegraph
Ashbourne.
leading
across
of
a bicycle.
I
sure
that
leaving
railway
section.
this
R.I.C.
Camp and
of
in
barricade
to
to
direction
the
destroy and
destroyed
name
the
offered.
being
and
after
On Friday,
up to
there
the
I
near
a place
man had
every
Garristown
am nearly
remember
to
a small,
I
returned
cannot
at
resistance
any
I
that
We walked
party.
on without
We then
here
moved
from
Barracks
R.I.C.
Battn.
whole
starting
night,
the
raided
the
night
were
not
fire
several
of
continued
near
and
then the some
4. of
our
end
men got
the
men who had
Dick fields main
road,
were
halted.
under
on the
we could
After
disregarding had
a big
and
to
belonging Frank
Lawless
seeing
their
The
van
their
was now very on a farm
placed attended
to by by
against
the
left
in
remainder us.
of
Two priests
attended
to
and called
The meal
of
rifles all
our
the
belonging in
good
humour
Frank
hands
and
the
all it
surrender
to
that Hayes was
able
R.I.C. spirits
to
and after
50
very
rounds
our
issued of
victory
again and he
further.
to
back
camp where then
move
R.I.C
were
were
fight
to
They
We were
to
The
camp with
surrendered hostile
with
at
and
to
we had
.303.
van
were
they
prisoners,
too
the
the
men were
where
Tom Rafferty
after
and
in
R.I.C.
werenot
proceed
which on.
them
put
treated
to
back
van
wounds.
surrendered
barracks
bad
his
barracks
wounded
they
He
was John
bread
the
road
he went.
ammunition
and
Dick
the
and
who were
R.I.C.,
wounded.
the
the
of
from
also
The
as he
tea.
in
loaded.
The
and
R.I.C.
wounded.
day
the
man
thought
killed
arms
into
I
cars
and
killed
following
also
shortly
and
by
shot
man who was
the
brought
proceeded
the
equipment
arrived
to
them
road
were
bread
meat,
of
The
wounded
then
a lot
the
up,
nearby
Battn.
their
packed
Dr.
"murderers".
up
at
of
people.
us
put
the
R.I.C.
as
anf
and
was
the
any
R.I.C.
warned
dead
where
at
firing
Gray
firing
died
and
place
middle
and
a house
be
the
the
on to
up the
Hayes.
Irish
D.I.
ditches
went
heavily
Tom Ashe
paraded
was
Dr.
road
and
across
he
on the
cart
of
the
we took
arms
us
man as
Had brought
we collected
he brought
wounded.
and
comrades
us.
four
name
R.I.C.
joined
Lawless
or
Tom Rafferty
the
camp
side
Frank
three
and
surrender
time
hedges
remainder
brave
The
the
After
the
to
some
and
time
and
pistol.
Crinnigan
that
cover
any
of
seemed
a very
the
along
up along
the
man killed
was
in
or Slane
at
There
one
Mulcahy
north
that
surrendered.
left
cover
Just
After
came
We moved
see.
Lawless.
been
then
Mulcahy
keeping
We had
wounds.
slight
us
a good
one
of
We were Ashbourne.
the
5.
We now had
of
plenty
rifles
and
around
camp that
and
ammunition
of
plenty
good
food. A rumour
spread
wore
Cavalry
and
coming
that
"New Barn"
near
Kilsallaghan.
and
that
night
we lay
mounted
on the
in
to
further
action.
us that
it
was all
over.,
be
would
told
me to
were
the
without keep
the That
also
youngest my bicycle;
to
the
fields.
On
the
following
and
Trinity
were
a few
the
out
went home.
again,
this
time
R.I.C.
Bks.
I
did
They and
I
had
Trinity known here
to
shout.
been
the
went
home.
an
I
to
best I
R.I.C.
and fellows
were
the
from
police
for
was again
biscuits
chair
I
got
one
a mistake
others
who
immediately told
me to
under
did
not
me to
Bks to
Regiment
there
to
guard.
know.
get
out
and
night
I
was
arrested
and
taken
two days; in
good
the
no bed, in
only I
which
from
threatened
got
to Santry
cell/
meal
I
them. there. to
shoot
me
sergeant. by
eat, by
I
for
constable
another
on foot to
He
but
Berkshire
Santry
old
taken
too.
Police
an
the
very
Glasnevin
was
one
and
me ton
the
me but
Dublin
came
that
cells
told
Glasnevin
in
there
Ashe
from
told
bed
home it,
looking
seemed
A few for
that
Commander in
it.
a room
into
He
disappointed
the
there
was
out.
me take
of
put
in
hold
brought
some
surrendered
left
the
by
date
of
Monday me and
good
on that
very
let
some sleep.
molest
as dog
make
There
not
College
had
was
us
we were
Guard
by
have
On Friday
spirits
had
they for
When I
floor. to
managed
there
in
not
other
evening
a flagged
that
Dublin,
Tuesday and
we got
guards
2 p.m.
About
was brought
College,
There
when
strong
he would
arrested
I
night
camp at
a new
on straw.
everybody
naturally
go home and
house
was dark
sheds
ridiculous
and
disappointed
the
found
morning
forward
it
It
to
British
camp.
Saturday
that
we moved
night
the
that
evening
the
party
We were I
in
the
Berkshires
a few
given
now learned
guard
of
that
carrying
hard
biscuits
my release out
their
to
from orders.
6.
On Saturday, taken and
under
were
a very
into
put
and
the
On Wednesday
we sailed
Wakefield.
We got our
notice
of
I
can
us but
4 months in
and
HOTE Mr now
O'Connor
the
states
to
should
the
On Thursday Morning Up Comdt
forward.
was
not
for
dispatches
were
good
and
Wok
and
train
to
us.
to
Wakefield
Prison.
to
take and
any throughout
as
far
as
After
Frongoch. Prison
and
Commission
Sanfey
of
that
men with pace they
period
of
General
the
about
from
after
Amnesty
men started
the
Rising
there which
in_________
Mulcahy
the
the
of
forward. continued
These
sanction
gave
all
a lecture
he take
by
asked
for
all
a pace
men from
men left
active
that
the
to two
and
not
finished
fight
exception
Ashbourne grousing
had
when he had
continue
at
fight
the
Dick
and
to
the
after
Council.
fact
we were
Mr States
was given by
the
St.
home
carrying
us.
the
During
of
that
country
the
In
immediately.
to
to
home.
Camp some
prepared the
time
and
right
our
took
Margaret's
lie
stalls.
a fortnight
Wandsworth
the
Executive
All
We
to
cattle
Holyhead
to
stated to
Chesmecdent that on our duty to at place Wok those who were Balwenstown
at
have
I.Vol.
at
brought
the
had
escort
seemed
train
Ireland
we returned thing
no one
by
before
the
in
removed
and
Barracks
Frongoch.
released
returned
when
London
to
was
I
we were
to
we returned
then
under
thence
about
was
others.
and
biscuits
reception
I
us.
in
we were
Wakefield
of
eat
taken
and
Dublin
a bad
in
to
some dog
until
through
to
down
Holyhead
food
we got
and
there
batches
I
no
We were
remember
boat of
to
movements
England.
we were
exception
Richmond
some hundreds
supplied
on a cattle
New Barn,
to
dog biscuits was
at
soldiers
with
Tuesday
put
with
During
more
surrender
of
there
and
following
Wall
No food,
tea
our
escort
heavy
as no bedding
floor
On the North
after
a dormitory red
given
on the
a week
That place
our
internment
Thursday
England
conditions I
fairly
well
O'Connor Now Mecdent Ches at
in
Balwendstown Morning
treated.
Signed:
James 31
Connor 8
48
James
O'Connor,
St Margaret
coy I. V. under
arrest
by crown
Force
(BMH.WS14
