A report to Michael Collins on the damage resulting from the occupation of the Four Courts and the subsequent attack on the building by Free State forces in June, 1922, has been made available after 80 years.
The anti-Treaty wing of the IRA, led by Rory O'Connor, had seized the Four Courts on April 13th and made it their military headquarters. On June 28th, Collins launched an artillery attack from the other side of the River Liffey. Two days later, O'Connor and his followers surrendered.
The memo to Collins, as chairman of the Provisional Government, described how "a great amount of water" had got into a basement where a large number of bound volumes of records were kept. He was advised that "the volumes are of importance" and should be moved to Dublin Castle immediately.
The scale of devastation can be gauged from this document which went on to inform Collins: "It has been found that a number of the old records from the Treasury are lying in the yard and through the rubble around the building. Some of these may be very valuable. There are some bundles of old wills among them."
An inspection of all the basements was urged as it was possible that "R. O'Connor" might have transferred records there. "It is also suggested that he be interrogated on this subject."
In addition there was the possibility of theft by Free State forces: "Some of the soldiers are thought not to quite realise that none of the documents, books and papers in these buildings may be touched by any person without the authority of the Government."
An assessment of the damage was appended. Under the heading, "Central Hall", was written: "In complete ruin . . . The Courts off the Hall are not recognisable." The documents are annotated in handwriting similar to that of Collins.
Collins was shot dead in August, 1922. In December, Rory O'Connor and three other republican leaders from the Four Courts garrison, including Liam Mellows, were executed without trial as a reprisal for attacks on pro-Treaty TDs, one of whom, Sean Hales, was killed.
