Chief Secretary’s Office, Crime Branch: Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Movement of Extremists April 1916
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.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/242)
The report of 1 April 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán MacDiarmada, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh and TJ Sheehan.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Michael O’Hanrahan, Michael J O’Rahilly, Thomas Hunter, Éamonn J Duggan, Patrick Ryan, Eimar O’Duffy, Laurence Raul and George Irvine.
Éamonn Ceannt and John O’Mahony are observed in the office of John R Reynolds, 1 College Street.
The arrival of Edward O’Kelly ‘Volunteer Organiser’ by train from Kilkenny is noted.
A number of individuals are observed at a protest meeting in Beresford Place, including William T Cosgrave, John O’Mahony, TJ Sheehan, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Patrick O’Keeffe, William Shortall, Eimar O’Duffy, William O’Leary Curtis, Gerald Griffin, Desmond Fitzgerald and Thomas MacDonagh. An annotation on the report reveals Fitzgerald had been released from custody only the previous day.
The report concludes with details of a planned meeting at Beresford Place ‘under the auspices of the Irish Transport Workers Union’ and the decision to postpone a planned route march by the Irish Volunteers.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 31 March 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/243)
The report of 4 April 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, Joseph McGuinness and John R Reynolds.
The departure of John Neeson by train to Drogheda [County Louth] is noted.
The arrival of Patrick Hughes from Dundalk [County Louth] and his return later the same day is reported.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Eimar O’Duffy, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Michael O’Hanrahan, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamon de Valera, Terence J McSwiney and Countess Markievicz. A second meeting later the same day is again attended by MacDonagh and O’Rahilly, along with Austin Stack and Patrick Hughes. The subsequent departure of Stack by train to Tralee [County Kerry] and McSwiney to Cork is noted. A further meeting in the evening is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Michael O’Hanrahan and Éamonn Ceannt.
The report concludes with details of a drill by around 40 unarmed members of the Irish Volunteers in the hall at the rear of 41 Rutland Square in the presence of Joseph McGuinness, Gerald Griffin, Thomas J Clarke and John R Reynolds.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 3 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/244)
The report of 5 April 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John O’Mahony, Joseph Murray and Piaras Béaslaí.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Michael O’Hanrahan, Thomas MacDonagh, TJ Sheehan and Bulmer Hobson. A second meeting later the same evening is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Patrick H Pearse and Michael J O’Rahilly.
Seán MacDiarmada and William O’Leary Curtis are observed in 12 D’Olier Street.
A detailed account is given of a ‘Sinn Fein Recruiting’ meeting held at Blessington Street and the march of ‘about 100 persons purporting to be recruits’ to Blackhall Place. Thomas MacDonagh is reported to have called on those present to join a parade of Irish Volunteers on Sunday 9 April ‘through the principal streets of the City so that Dublin Castle could see the number of recruits they had got since they started this campaign a few days ago’.
An annotation on the report states ‘I Ch. Sec [Chief Secretary] II The Lord Lieutenant I do not think Dublin Castle need be impressed by the acting of this stage army. But if necessary precautions will be taken in regard to the proposed Sunday March’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 4 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/245)
The report of 8 April 1916 states that Thomas J Clarke left his shop at 75 Parnell Street in the company of Piaras Béaslaí. They proceeded together to 12 D’Olier Street. Clarke is later observed at his shop in conversation with PF Burke ‘late Excise Officer, Carrickmacross [County Monaghan]’.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Thomas MacDonagh, Seán MacDiarmada, Charles J Kickham and Thomas [Desmond] Fitzgerald. A second meeting later the same afternoon is again attended by Fitzgerald, along with Michael J O’Rahilly, John O’Hanrahan, Piaras Béaslaí, George Irvine and PF Burke.
An annotation on the report states I Ch Sec [Chief Secretary] II The Lord Lieutenant I [ ] some recent letters & a memorandum with regard to PF Burke now about to be granted a pension by the Treasury. Please see the Sol. [Solicitor] General’s minute of 9-4-16’.
Details are provided of a number of anti-deportation meetings held in Drumcondra. The meetings were addressed by Matthew Stafford, Michael J O’Rahilly, Bulmer Hobson, Thomas MacDonagh and John Fitzgibbon. Annotations on the report comment on speeches by Hobson and MacDonagh. Stafford is described as ‘an old Sinn Feiner but has not been noticed mixing with the party lately’.
A copy of The Spark referred to in the report and described as ‘not a bad issue’ is not present.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 7 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/246)
The report of 11 April 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by AWW Cotton and Patrick Ryan, following which it is noted Clarke left and returned home. In his absence, the shop is visited by John McGarry, Edward Daly and Joseph McGuinness.
The departure of John Neeson by train to Drogheda [County Louth], AWW Cotton to Belfast and Peter de Loughrey to Kilkenny is noted, as is the arrival of Terence J McSwiney from Cork.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Michael O’Hanrahan, Eimar O’Duffy, Bulmer Hobson, Con Colbert, Edward Daly, TJ Sheehan and Thomas MacDonagh. A second meeting the later the same evening is again attended by MacDonagh and O’Hanrahan, along with Éamon de Valera and John E Lyons.
The report concludes with details of a drill by ‘about forty members of the Irish Volunteers without rifles’ in the hall at the rear of 41 Rutland Square in the presence of Frank Fahy, Edward Daly and Joseph McGuinness.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 10 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/247)
The report of 13 April 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by John R Reynolds and Joseph Murray.
The departure to London is reported of Alderman James Nowlan, Frank B Dineen and Luke J O’Toole on a trip to seek ‘the assistance of the Irish Party in having the GAA football and hurling matches exempt from Taxation’.
The departure of John Neeson by train to Drogheda [County Louth] is noted.
Terence J McSwiney and Michael O’Hanrahan are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. Pierce McCann is noted entering the builidng shortly afterwards. McSwiney’s subsequent departure by train to Cork and McCann to Goold’s Cross [County Tipperary] is noted.
A meeting late that evening in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Patrick H Pearse, John Fitzgibbon, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamonn Ceannt, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, [James] O’Connor, Seán MacDiarmada, TJ Sheehan and Laurence Raul.
The report concludes with details of a drill by around 45 members of the Irish Volunteers at 41 Rutland Square in the presence of Thomas Hunter and Michael O’Hanrahan.
Copies of newspapers referred to in the report are not present.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 12 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/248)
The report of 15 April 1916 states that Thomas J Clarke paid a brief visit to his shop at 75 Parnell Street. He is observed leaving for 12 D’Olier Street where he meets with Edward Daly and Arthur Griffith. In his absence, the shop is visited throughout the day by Con Colbert, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Thomas Byrne, Jeremiah C [Diarmuid] Lynch, Piaras Béaslaí, Joseph Murray, John R Reynolds and Joseph McGuinness.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Eimar O’Duffy and Michael O’Hanrahan. A second meeting later the same afternoon is again attended by O’Connell, along with Thomas McCarthy. O’Connell’s subsequent departure by train to Cork is noted. A third meeting later in the evening is attended by Éamon de Valera, TJ Sheehan, Frank Fahy, Piaras Béaslaí, Michael O’Hanrahan, Thomas McCarthy, Edward Daly, Gerald Griffin, Joseph McGuinness and Con Colbert.
The arrival of Charles S [Wyse] Power by train from Clonmel [County Tipperary] is noted.
A copy of The Spark referred to in the report is not present. A poster advertising The Spark is present.
An annotation on the report states ‘There is to be a big meeting at Beresford Pl. [Place] tomorrow at 4pm. Hoisting Irish Flag on Liberty Hall’. In response, the Under Secretary questions why the information was not conveyed to him immediately.
A series of annotations on the report attempt to account for the delay. A memorandum is included providing some insight into the fallout from the delay. Please see transcript of memorandum and annotations for further details.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 14 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/249)
The report of 18 April 1916 states that Thomas J Clarke did not visit his shop at 75 Parnell Street. In his absence, the shop is visited throughout the day by Frank Fahy, Joseph McGuinness, Charles J Kickham, Seán MacDiarmada and Seán T Ó Ceallaigh.
The departure of John Neeson by train to Drogheda [County Louth] is noted.
Arthur Griffith is observed at 12 D’Olier Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Thomas MacDonagh, Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy, Con Colbert, James Whelan, Michael O’Hanrahan and Joseph McGuinness. A second meeting held later the same evening is again attended by Mellows and O’Hanrahan, along with Charles J Kickham and Jeremiah C [Diarmuid] Lynch. Éamon de Valera, William T Cosgrave and Seán MacDiarmada are observed in the same location later that night.
The departure of Denis McCullough by train to Belfast and Edward O’Kelly to Kilkenny is noted.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
A report is given of a drill by around 40 members of the Irish Volunteers in the hall at the rear of 41 Rutland Square in the presence of Joseph McGuinness, Frank Fahy and Charles J Kickham.
The report concludes with information about James W Vaughey [Vaughan] ‘supposed Clan na Gael Agent’ who is staying at the Gresham Hotel.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 17 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/250)
The report of 19 April 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, Jeremiah C [Diarmuid] Lynch, Piaras Béaslaí, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh and William O’Leary Curtis.
The departure of Francis Sheehy Skeffington by train to Belfast is noted. His return later the same evening is also reported.
Seán MacDiarmada and Charles J Kickham are observed at 12 D’Olier Street, followed by Jeremiah C [Diarmuid] Lynch and Con Colbert. Thomas J Clarke is noted calling to the premises shortly afterwards.
Bulmer Hobson, Con Collins and John McGarry are observed in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
The arrival of Patrick Hughes by train from Dundalk [County Louth] is noted. A series of annotations on the report state ‘Under Secretary Submitted. The visit of P Hughes to Dublin had reference without doubt to the proposed lecture etc in Dundalk on Sunday next, file 11288/5’. In reply, it is stated ‘it is believed that the lecture has been put off’.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Bulmer Hobson, Eimar O’Duffy and Michael O’Hanrahan. A second meeting later the same afternoon is attended by Éamon de Valera, Charles S [Wyse] Power, Thomas McCarthy and Mrs [Jennie] Wyse Power. A third meeting, held later that evening, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael O’Hanrahan, Eimar O’Duffy and Patrick H Pearse ‘the others mentioned having left at the time’.
The report concludes with details of the return to Dundalk [County Louth] by Patrick Hughes.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 18 April 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/251)
The report of 20 April 1916 states that Thomas J Clarke did not visit his shop at 75 Parnell Street until 10pm. He is observed in conversation with John R Reynolds, who arrived at this time. In Clarke’s absence, the shop is visited throughout the day by Con Collins and Patrick Ryan, followed by Thomas MacDonagh, Seán MacDiarmada, Edward Daly and William O’Leary Curtis.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Michael O’Hanrahan, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Jeremiah C [Diarmuid] Lynch.
Thomas [Desmond] Fitzgerald is observed in Dame Street.
The arrival of John Neeson by train from Drogheda [County Louth] is noted, along with the departure of PF Burke to Carrickmacross [County Monaghan].
A number of individuals are observed throughout the city centre, including Fenton Lynch and Edward Daly together in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street], JJ Walsh in his shop at 26 Blessington Street, Arthur Griffith at 12 D’Olier Street and Edward Daly at 2 Dawson Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Éamon de Valera, Bulmer Hobson, [James] O’Connor, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell and Patrick Ryan.
A report is provided of a ‘motored’ journey by ‘returned American’ James W Vaughey [Vaughan] to Drogheda [County Louth] and his return late the same evening to his room at the Gresham Hotel.
The report concludes with details of drills by members of the Irish Volunteers at 5 Blackhall Street and Larkfield, Kimmage.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Honesty and the Irish Volunteer, as well as numbers 12 and 13 in the series of Tracts for the Times, written by Patrick H Pearse.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 19 April 1916.
