BACK PAGES: Ernie O'Malley was one of the most successful IRA commanders during the War of Independence and a dedicated opponent of the treaty, who went on to write the two best memoirs of those periods, On Another Man's Wound and The Singing Flame. He was captured during the Civil War at the home in Ailesbury Road, Dublin, of Ellen Humphreys, a sister of The O'Rahilly and also a committed anti-treatyite. This contemporary report described his capture, making the most of the sketchy details available on the weekend of his arrest.
ONE SOLDIER of the National Army was killed, a prominent leader of the Republicans was seriously wounded, and two women were slightly injured when national troops went to search 36 Ailesbury Road, Dublin, last Saturday morning.
In many respects the affair was worthy of the cinema. There was, according to the official report, a “camouflaged wardrobe” from which fire was opened on the soldiers, and it is said that one young woman used a revolver against them.
The soldiers drove to the house in a lorry shortly after 7am, in the chill grey of early morning.
A few minutes later the crackle of rifle and revolver shots startled the residents of the district, which is one of the most sedate suburbs of Dublin, and hitherto has been untouched by the “incidents” so common elsewhere.
Those who had the nerve to look from their windows saw but little of the fight, as the red brick, two-storey house stands alone in a garden at the end of a small avenue leading from Ailesbury Road. They saw, however, the arrival of reinforcements for the troops, and caught glimpses of figures in green uniforms advancing on the building.
Then the firing died away, and the ambulance came dashing to the scene. A stretcher was taken out and returned in a moment, bearing the form of a soldier, white of face and very still.
The Red Cross vehicle bore its tragic burden swiftly away, but in a very little while it was back again, and two young women were helped into it.
A man, who appeared to be very badly wounded, was taken away, with a strong military escort, in a military ambulance.
A little later some women were placed in a military motor, which instantly moved off.
Troops remained in charge of the dwelling for some time afterwards, and “rumour, painted full of tongues”, stood at garden gates and the corners of the lane. It was said (among other things) that the object of the troops’ visit had been to arrest Mr de Valera, and there were vivid stories of his last-minute escape from the rear of the house. It appears to have been without foundation.
The facts that came to light revealed the casualties as follows:
Pte Peter McCartney, Scottish Brigade, National Army, Curragh Camp – Died of wounds in Baggot Street hospital shortly after admission.
Ernest O’Malley (said to be the Republicans’ assistant chief of staff) – Seriously wounded. Injuries dressed in Baggot Street hospital; afterwards removed in custody to Portobello Barracks. Reported this morning to show signs of improvement, though not yet out of danger.
Miss [Áine] O’Rahilly (prominent member of Cumann na mBan and sister of The O’Rahilly, who was shot dead during the rebellion of Easter, 1916) – Wound in face.
Miss Eileen Flanagan (servant employed at 38 Ailesbury Road) – Bullet wound in shoulder.
The tenant of the house is Mrs Humphries, another sister of The O’Rahilly. Her daughter, Miss Sheila Humphries, and her two sons live with her. The family has been identified with the anti-treaty party.
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