Breen, Dan, 1894-1969; Ireland -- History -- 1910-1921; Revolutionaries -- Ireland -- Biography
While I was waiting the reply I learned from the people of the house
that in each of the houses on either side a Black and Tan was lodging,
both houses being the property of members of the Dublin Police. You can
imagine how lucky I was to select the particular back gate I did.
In a short time a motor car arrived at the door. In it were Joe Lawless,
Maurice Brennan and Tom Kelly. They had been sent by Dick McKee to take
me away to the Mater Hospital where he had already made arrangements that
I was to be received and treated.
I was provided with an outfit and placed in the car. My keenest regret
was not the suit I had been compelled to leave behind in Carolan’s, but
the six pound notes and the watch that were in the pockets. Probably some
enterprising officer had a good night out of the discovery, for I need
hardly say that my losses did not form the subject of compensation awards
when the Truce came.
I was driven up Botanic Road on through Phibsboro’ towards the Mater
Hospital. At Phibsboro’ corner a D.M.P. man motioned us to stop as we
approached. For a moment we feared there was something wrong. But relief
came in a few moments. We were simply being asked to slow down while
a convoy of Auxiliaries passed, probably to raid some houses in the
locality for me.
We continued our journey, and as we approached the entrance to the
hospital in Eccles Street I saw Dick McKee—himself a very much wanted
man at the time, walking slowly along the path. With a slight wave of
his hand he motioned to us to pass the hospital. A little further down
he crossed to us to tell us we could not go into the hospital for some
time as there were two D.M.P. Inspectors, with some military and police
actually raiding the hospital at that moment searching for wounded men.
“Dan,” he said, as he gripped my hand for a moment, “ye got the very men
we would have had to give the next two years looking for.”
Our car crossed Dorset Street into Mountjoy Square, and finally drove
into an old stable in Great Charles Street. It was one of the best known
dumping grounds used for concealing the arms of the Dublin Brigade,
though it was shortly afterwards discovered by the enemy.
It is easy to imagine how sick and tired of life I was as I drove into
this old stable, but picture my delight at seeing Sean Treacy waiting to
welcome me.
He had escaped without as much as a scratch. Briefly—for he had not long
to spare—he told me of his adventures. He got safely away through the
back, convinced that I was killed. For hours he had wandered almost naked
through the country, scarcely knowing where he was until as dawn broke he
knocked at a door in a last effort to gain shelter. He did not even know
in what district he was until the door was opened by his own cousin Phil
Ryan, of Finglas! Truly, the fates were on our side that morning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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