Report of 15 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.