Chief Secretary’s Office, Crime Branch: Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Movement of Extremists December 1915
The series is comprised of daily reports produced by the DMP Detective Department on the movements and associations of pro-independence suspects between 29 May 1915 and 20 April 1916.
The DMP reports were compiled by Superintendent Owen Brien and submitted to the Under Secretary for Ireland, Sir Matthew Nathan, at Dublin Castle. The reports describe Republican activity in Dublin during the 11 months preceding the Easter Rising. The final report in the series was written on 20 April 1916, just 4 days before the beginning of the Rising.
The reports detail intelligence gathered at a number of key city centre locations, including the shop of Thomas J Clarke at 75 Parnell Street, the Irish Volunteers Office at 2 Dawson Street, the Irish National Forester’s Hall at 41 Parnell Square, and the headquarters of the Gaelic League at 25 Parnell Square. The reports record the interaction of suspects at these locations and attendance at meetings, as well as drilling and marching of Irish Volunteers. The movements of suspects in and out of Dublin were also recorded at the five main Dublin train stations: Kingsbridge [Heuston], Amiens Street [Connolly], Westland Row [Pearse Station], Broadstone and Harcourt Street, and at Dublin Port.
Major events which took place in 1915 and 1916 are recorded in the reports, including the funeral of the Fenian leader Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa (1 August 1915) and the Annual Convention of Irish Volunteers (31 October 1915). They also record the travel of suspects to events outside of Dublin, such as the ‘annual pilgrimage’ to Bodenstown, County Kildare, for commemorations at the grave of Theobald Wolfe Tone (19 June 1915). Other activities recorded in the reports include anti-recruitment and conscription rallies, meetings of the Irish Women’s Franchise League, and protests against the imprisonment of revolutionaries under the Defence of the Realm Act.
There are over 230 individuals referred to in the reports, principally members of the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Sinn Féin. The primary person of interest is Thomas J Clarke, who is mentioned in almost every report, while the other most frequently mentioned individuals include Pierce Beasley, Thomas Byrne, Con Colbert, Bulmer Hobson, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Seán Mac Diarmada, John McGarry, Joseph McGuinness, Herbert Mellows, Michael O’Hanrahan, William O’Leary Curtis, Michael Joseph O’Rahilly and James Joseph Walsh.
The reports also contain copies of Nationalist newspapers, with attention drawn to ‘anti-British’ content, as well as pamphlets and election material. Publications include The Workers’ Republic, Ná Bac Leis, Nationality, The Hibernian, The Irish Volunteer, The Spark, Honesty and New Ireland.
For more information on the individuals frequently mentioned in the reports, please see Who were the Extremists?
For more information about the work of the Chief Secretary, please see Office of Chief Secretary for Ireland.
For more information about how the documents were conserved please see How we conserve the Movement of Extremist reports.
Report of 1 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/148)
The report of 1 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by William O’Leary Curtis, followed by Eimar O’Duffy, Piaras Béaslaí, James J Buggy and Charles J Kickham.
The departure of JP Connolly by train to Belfast is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Eimar O’Duffy and George Irvine.
JJ Walsh and Gerald Griffin are observed in the Police Courts during proceedings against Patrick Dyer of Tubbercurry [County Sligo].
The report concludes with details of those in attendance at a lecture by Reverend D Toal CC [Catholic Curate], Downpatrick [County Down], entitled New Method of Teaching Modern Languages, held in the headquarters of the Gaelic League, 25 Parnell Square.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Hibernian and Honesty.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 30 November 1915.
Report of 2 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/149)
The report of 2 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Joseph Murray, followed by Thomas Byrne, Joseph McGuinness, John McGarry, Con Colbert, MW O’Reilly, Michael O’Hanrahan and William O’Leary Curtis.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Michael O’Hanrahan, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy and Patrick Ryan. A meeting in the same location later that evening is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Patrick H Pearse, James O’Connor, John Fitzgibbon, Éamon de Valera, George Irvine, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Patrick Ryan, Thomas J Sheehan, James Whelan and Eimar O’Duffy.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Nationality and The Irish Volunteer.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 1 December 1915.
Report of 3 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/150)
The report of 3 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Joseph McGuinness, followed by John McGarry, Michael McGinn, Thomas Byrne, William O’Leary Curtis, MW O’Reilly, Edward Daly, Gerald Griffin and Michael Foley.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy, Michael O’Hanrahan and Patrick Ryan.
The report concludes with details of the participation of forty members of the ‘Sinn Fein Volunteers’ in drills at 41 Parnell Square, overseen by Joseph McGuinness and Con Colbert.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Workers’ Republic.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 2 December 1915.
Report of 4 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/151)
The report of 4 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Arthur Griffith, followed by Con Colbert, Thomas Byrne, James J Buggy and MW O’Reilly.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Eimar O’Duffy, Bulmer Hobson and Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows. A second meeting held in the same location later that evening is attended by Éamon de Valera, Thomas MacDonagh, Michael O’Hanrahan and Bulmer Hobson. Hobson departed early.
The report concludes with details of those in attendance at a meeting at 41 Parnell Square, including Thomas J Clarke, Charles J Kickham, MW O’Reilly, Thomas Byrne, James Stritch, James J Buggy and John McGarry.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 3 December 1915.
Report of 7 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/152)
The report of 7 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by Seán MacDiarmada, Charles Wyse Power, MW O’Reilly, Joseph McGuinness and FJ McCabe.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Eimar O’Duffy and Michael J O’Rahilly.
Major John MacBride and Henry Dixon are observed together in Westland Row.
The departure by boat of Peter Murphy to Liverpool is noted.
Details are given of drills by fifty seven members of the Irish Volunteers in the hall at the back of 41 Parnell Square.
The report concludes with information on a march of members of the Citizen Army. It states the ‘extinguishing of the Public gas lamps on the occasion was merely a coincidence, as it now appears the Corporation have the lights put out shortly after midnight in the Drumcondra district’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 6 December 1915.
Report of 8 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/153)
The report of 8 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh and Frank Fahy, followed by Seán MacDiarmada, Thomas Byrne, Arthur Griffith and William O’Leary Curtis.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael J O’Rahilly and Eimar O’Duffy.
The departure of Charles S [Wyse] Power by train en route to Westport [County Mayo] is noted.
Seán MacDiarmada and Joseph McGuinness are observed in 41 Parnell Square, while JJ Walsh is reported in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Honesty and The Hibernian.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 7 December 1915.
Report of 9 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/154)
The report of 9 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Major John McBride and Joseph Murray, followed by Frank Fahy, Piaras Béaslaí, James J Buggy and William O’Leary Curtis.
The movements of a number of individuals around Dublin City Centre are noted, including Michael O’Hanrahan in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street; Éamon de Valera and Michael J O’Rahilly together in Grafton Street; and Con Collins and Patrick O’Keeffe, both of whom work in the GPO [General Post Office], in conversation with Seán MacDiarmada in D’Olier Street, a fact underlined in the report.
Patrick Ryan and Eimar O’Duffy are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. Later the same evening, a meeting in the same location is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Seán MacDiarmada, James O’Connor, Patrick H Pearse, Éamon de Valera, Patrick Ryan, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Nationality and The Irish Volunteers.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 8 December 1915.
Report of 10 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/155)
The report of 10 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Edward Daly, Michael O’Hanrahan and MW O’Reilly.
Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street.
The arrival of Denis McCullough by train from Belfast and the return of Charles S [Wyse] Power from Westport [County Mayo] is noted.
A report is provided of a number of those in attendance at the opening of the ‘Sinn Fein Annual Exhibition and Sale of Irish Goods’, held in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda [hospital], including Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Denis McCullough, John Fitzgibbon, Charles J Kickham and Mrs Wyse Power.
Thomas Byrne is observed in the company of JJ Walsh in the latter’s shop at 26 Blessington Street.
A series of annotations on the report detail a conversation about a number of German pork butchers living in Dublin. The first annotation states ‘Under Secretary, You will note the concert being given for the benefit of Langs family an interned German pork butcher’. In reply, the Under Secretary asks ‘In this connection I noted that 2 German pork butchers, Youkstetter & Olhausen, advertise in the Sinn Fein press. Have these men been exempted from internment’. A reply to this inquiry states ‘Both these men are nationalized British subjects’. A final response from the Under Secretary states ‘Let an eye be kept on these people whose origin & association makes them suspect’. This response is noted by a number of individuals, including Superintendent Owen Brien of the DMP.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Workers’ Republic.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 9 December 1915.
Report of 11 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/156)
The report of 11 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Joseph Murray, followed by Michael O’Hanrahan, James J Buggy, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Denis McCullough, MW O’Reilly and John Fitzgibbon.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Éamon de Valera and Michael O’Hanrahan.
Denis McCullough, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, James O’Connor, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Seán MacDiarmada, Joseph McGuinness, John Milroy and Alderman Thomas Kelly are observed at the Sinn Fein Annual Exhibition and Sale of Irish Goods, held in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda [hospital].
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 10 December 1915.
Report of 13 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/157)
The report of 13 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 11 December by Seán MacDiarmada, followed by Joseph McGuinness, Piaras Béaslaí, FJ McCabe, [James] O’Connor, James J Buggy and MW O’Reilly. On Sunday 12 December, Clarke is visited by John O’Mahony, John Fitzgibbon and PA Sargent.
The arrival is noted of PF Burke by train from Carrickmacross [County Monaghan] and Thomas Kenny from Craughwell [County Galway].
Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell and Michael O’Hanrahan are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. A meeting on Saturday evening in the same location is attended by Thomas MacDonagh, Éamon de Valera, Éamonn Ceannt, Michael O’Hanrahan, Thomas Byrne and George Irvine.
The departure of James Connolly by train to Belfast is noted, along with the departure of Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows by train to Kells [County Meath].
On Sunday, the departure of Piaras Béaslaí by train to Cork is noted, along with the return of Alderman James Nowlan to Kilkenny.
Nowlan, Thomas Kenny, JJ Hogan, JJ Keane, MF Crowe and Luke J O’Toole were in Dublin to attend a meeting of the Central Council of the GAA [Gaelic Athletic Association], held in Croke Park on Saturday 11 December 1915.
The report provides details of the Lang benefit concert, in aid of the family of a German-born pork butcher interned by the authorities. ‘The majority of those present was composed of women, Sinn Fein Boy Scouts, in charge of P [Patrick] Ryan, and a few members of the Transport Workers, including Michael Mullen’. The concert was referred to in annotations on the Report of 10 December 1915.
The report concludes with a note on a lecture entitled ‘The Battle of Aughrim’ delivered by JJ O’Connell at 25 Parnell Square, the proceedings ‘were of no importance’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 11 and 12 December 1915.
Report of 14 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/158)
The report of 14 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by William O’Leary Curtis, followed by Seán MacDiarmada, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, James J Buggy, FJ McCabe and Michael O’Hanrahan.
The arrival and departure of a number of individuals is noted, including the return to Dublin of Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows from Kells [County Meath], Piaras Béaslaí from Cork and the arrival of Patrick O’Malley from Galway. PF Burke is observed returning to Carrickmacross [County Monaghan], Denis McCullough returned to Belfast and Thomas Kenny returned to Craughwell [County Galway].
Following his return from Cork, Piaras Béaslaí is seen in conversation with Patrick O’Keeffe of the GPO in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eimar O’Duffy and George Irvine.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 13 December 1915.
Report of 16 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/159)
The report of 16 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Patrick O’Malley and Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, followed by Con Colbert and William O’Leary Curtis.
The departure of Joseph Murray by train to Drogheda [County Louth], Patrick O’Malley to Galway and Francis J Biggar to Belfast is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Patrick H Pearse, Seán MacDiarmada, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Bulmer Hobson, Patrick Ryan, Eimar O’Duffy, Laurence Raul, Joseph Plunkett, Thomas MacDonagh and John Fitzgibbon. Raul is described as a ‘Tobacconist at 31, Exchequer St., and was formerly connected with the Sinn Fein League’.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Irish Volunteer and New Ireland. An annotation on the report ask ‘Can you say who is responsible for New Ireland’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 15 December 1915 and attached newspapers.
Report of 17 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/160)
The report of 17 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Major John MacBride, followed by Thomas Byrne, Con Colbert, Michael O’Hanrahan, Joseph McGuinness, Arthur Griffith, William O’Leary Curtis, Éamon de Valera, Ben Parsons, MW O’Reilly and Piaras Béaslaí.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan.
J O’Connor and Joseph McGuinness are observed together in Dame Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Workers’ Republic and Nationality ‘both of which contain notes of a pro-German character. An annotation on the report states ‘Chief Secy [Secretary] To see the newspapers’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 16 December 1915.
Report of 18 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/161)
The report of 18 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Thomas Byrne, J [James] O’Connor, Diarmuid Lynch and Joseph Murray. Earlier in the day, Murray had left Dublin by train for Tullamore [County Offaly] and returned later in the afternoon.
Henry Dixon and Arthur Griffith are observed in company at Westmoreland Street.
Michael O’Hanrahan and Diarmuid Lynch are noted in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. A meeting at the same location later in the evening is attended by Éamon de Valera, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamonn Ceannt, Michael J O’Rahilly and Michael O’Hanrahan.
The arrival of Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell from Wexford is noted.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street, while George Irvine and Charles J Kickham are seen in 41 Parnell Square.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 17 December 1915.
Report of 20 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/162)
The report of 20 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 18 December by FJ McCabe, John McGarry, Frank Fahy, Joseph Murray and Patrick Hughes. On Sunday 19 December, Clarke is visited by Diarmuid Lynch and Joseph McGuinness, followed by John McGarry and John O’Mahony.
Early in the day, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, while a meeting later in the evening is attended by Mellows, Michael J O’Rahilly, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Thomas MacDonagh and Bulmer Hobson.
The arrival of Patrick Hughes and Denis McCullough on the same train ‘but not in the same compartment’ is noted. The arrival of Liam Mellows by train from Athenry [County Galway] is also noted.
On Sunday 19, the departure of Piaras Béaslaí by train to Maryborough [Portlaoise, County Laois], is reported.
Details are provided of those in attendance at a meeting of the General Council of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street.
The report concludes with information about an address given by James Connolly and Patrick T Daly to a small gathering in Beresford Place about the dispute at the docks of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company in North Wall.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 18 and 19 December 1915.
Report of 21 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/163)
The report of 21 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Denis McCullough, followed by Patrick Hughes, John O’Mahony, Seán MacDiarmada, Diarmuid Lynch, MW O’Reilly and Piaras Béaslaí.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Patrick Hughes, Eimar O’Duffy, Éamon de Valera, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell and Michael O’Hanrahan.
The departure by train of Patrick Hughes to Dundalk [County Louth] and Denis McCullough to Belfast is noted.
The report concludes with details of those in attendance at a play written by Piaras Béaslaí and performed in the concert hall of the Rotunda.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 20 December 1915.
Report of 21 December 1915 - Special Report of New Ireland
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/164)
The second report of 21 December 1915 is a special report on the publication New Ireland.
The report provides details of the registration date of the New Ireland Publishing Company and the principal owners, Denis Gwynn, HTT Maguire and Patrick J Little.
Annotations on the report state Gwynn is the son of Mr Stephen Gwynn MP [Member of Parliament] and acts in a capacity as editor of the publication. Further details are sought about Maguire and Little. An annotation from WE Johnstone to Superintendent Brien states ‘I directed enquiries be made concerning these gentlemen. Have they been completed?’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department special report on New Ireland.
Report of 22 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/165)
The report of 22 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Major John MacBride, followed by Edward Daly, John Milroy, Francis J Biggar and William O’Leary Curtis.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Michael J O’Rahilly, Eimar O’Duffy and Patrick Ryan.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 21 December 1915.
Report of 23 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/166)
The report of 23 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán MacDiarmada, Joseph Murray and Terence J McSwiney, followed by William O’Leary Curtis, Frank Fahy, James J Buggy, MW O’Reilly, Thomas Byrne and Piaras Béaslaí. McSwiney’s arrival by train from Cork earlier in the day is also noted.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The arrival of Ernest Blythe by train from Limerick is noted. He is met at Kingsbridge station [Heuston Station] by Eimar O’Duffy.
It is observed that Eoin MacNeill has moved from his home in 19 Herbert Park to a new address in ‘Woodtown Park’, Rathfarnham.
The report concludes with details those in attendance at a meeting of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, including Michael J O’Rahilly, Joseph Plunkett, John Fitzgibbon, Patrick H Pearse, Michael O’Hanrahan and Terence J McSwiney.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Hibernian, Nationality, The Irish Volunteer and Honesty.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 22 December 1915.
Report of 24 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/167)
The report of 24 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Michael O’Hanrahan, followed by Con Colbert, William O’Leary Curtis, James Stritch, Joseph Murray, Seán MacDiarmada and John McGarry.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Ernest Blythe, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael O’Hanrahan and James Whelan.
The arrival of Edward Clithero and his wife by train is noted.
The report concludes with details of the march of around 30 members of the Citizen Army ‘carrying rifles’, under the command of James Connolly, from Liberty Hall through Dublin city centre and back to Beresford Place.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Workers’ Republic and The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 23 December 1915.
Report of 27 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/168)
The report of 27 December 1915 records a visit to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Christmas Eve by Joseph Murray.
The report details the departure from Dublin of a number of individuals on 24 December, including Terence J McSwiney to Cork, Hugh O’Hehir to Ennis [County Clare], John Fitzgibbon to Edenderry [King’s County (County Offaly)], Bulmer Hobson, Ernest Blythe and James Connolly to Belfast and Thomas J Clarke and Seán MacDiarmada to Limerick.
The report concludes with a visit to the shop of JJ Walsh, 26 Blessington Street, on 26 December by Thomas Byrne and Michael O’Hanrahan.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 24, 25 and 26 December 1915.
Report of 28 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/169)
The report of 28 December 1915 does not record any visitors to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street. Clarke left for Limerick on 24 December and has not yet returned.
The departure of Francis J Biggar by train to Belfast is noted. Earlier in the day, Herbert M Pim was observed arriving on the Belfast train. Pim subsequently delivered a lecture entitled ‘The Present Situation’ to an audience of approximately 150 people at 41 Parnell Square. Those in attendance included Laurence Ginnell MP [Member of Parliament], Thomas McCarthy, MW O’Reilly, Thomas MacDonagh, Thomas Byrne and Thomas S Cuffe. A concert was also held on the night.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 27 December 1915.
Report of 29 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/170)
The report of 29 December 1915 notes the return to Dublin from Limerick of Thomas J Clarke. Later in the evening, Clarke receives visits to his shop, 75 Parnell Street, from William O’Leary Curtis, Joseph Murray and Seán T Ó Ceallaigh.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Liam Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy and James O’Sullivan. Later the same day, Michael J O’Rahilly, Herbert M Pim and Michael O’Hanrahan are observed in the same location.
A visit by Francis Sheehy-Skeffington to Herbert M Pim in the Gresham Hotel is noted. The subsequent departure from the Gresham Hotel by Pim to Vaughan’s Hotel in the company of Laurence Ginnell MP [Member of Parliament] is reported.
The return to Dublin of James Connolly from Belfast and Hugh O’Hehir from Ennis [County Clare] is noted.
The report concludes with details of the arrival of Professor Valentine Steinberger from ‘Galway College’. The report states Steinberger ‘is of German origin, but a Naturalized British subject’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 28 December 1915.
Report of 30 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/171)
The report of 30 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by William O’Leary Curtis, followed by Herbert M Pim and MW O’Reilly.
The departure of John O’Mahony to Cork and Charles S [Wyse] Power to Belfast is noted. The return to Dublin of John Fitzgibbon from Edenderry [King’s County (County Offaly)] is also reported.
Michael J O’Rahilly and Éamon de Valera are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Honesty, The Hibernian, Nationality and The Irish Volunteer.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 29 December 1915.
Report of 31 December 1915 - Special Report on New Ireland
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/172)
The first report of 31 December 1915 is a special report on HFT Maguire and Patrick J Little, who are noted to be directors of the company behind the publication New Ireland.
The report notes although HFT Maguire, who lives with his sister Dr Kathleen Maguire at 67 Merrion Square, is a director, he ‘does not, so far as can be ascertained, take any part in the production of the paper nor mix in politics’.
A more detailed background is provided of Patrick J Little, who is described as the son of ‘the late Philip Francis Little, an Irishman who was for many years a Judge in Newfoundland’ [Canada]. Little ‘is said to be in such comfortable circumstances as not to be dependant on any Profession for a living’. Although he contributes articles to New Ireland, ‘he has not been known to identify himself with any political party’.
An annotation on the report refers to requests for further information on New Ireland in the reports of 16 December 1915 and 21 December 1915.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department special report on New Ireland.
Report of 31 December 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/173)
The second report of 31 December 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by Frank Fahy, Joseph McGuinness, William Sheehan, Michael O’Hanrahan and JJ Farrelly.
Francis Sheehy-Skeffington is observed departing for Belfast on the morning train and returning in the late evening.
The movements of a number of individuals are noted, including Herbert M Pim and Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows at the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street; James Connolly in the company of Countess Markievicz at Liberty Hall; William O’Leary Curtis and Arthur Griffith in Westmoreland Street; and JJ Walsh in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The report concludes with details of the departure of Liam Mellows by train to Athenry [County Galway].
Copies are included of the latest issues of New Ireland, The Workers’ Republic and No. 9 Series of Tracts for the Times: Why the Martyrs of Manchester Died, by A Newman, the pseudonym of Herbert M Pim.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 30 December 1915.
