Volunteers from Scotland and the 1916 Rising

1^st JANUARY 1916

On the 1^st January, 1916, with Eamon Murray and Alec Carmichael, I arrived in Belfast from Glasgow with one portmanteau and two small cases containing 150 rounds of .303 and 200 rounds of assorted revolver ammunition, eight short .45 and eight .32 revolvers, 40 feet of fuse, 200 detonators and one stone of explosives. Alec Carmichael remained in Belfast to hand over some of the stuff to Denis McCullough's mother or to Mr Dempsey, and then return to Glasgow that night so that he would be at the Volunteer Company Parade in Anne Street. And also that he would be at his employment on Monday morning, as he was engaged on British Admiralty war work. With Murray, I went to Dublin with 10 revolvers, 100 rounds of rifle, 140 rounds of revolver ammunition, 100 detonators, 200 feet of fuse and 7lbs. of explosives which were taken to Miss Leonard's or Lennon's shop at Rathmines Road, Dublin. The explosives, detonators and fuse were put in a small case to be delivered to the Ryans at Ballybough Road or to S McGarry at Clonmore Road, Dublin. I told Miss Leonard that I had some private shopping to do and would be back again that night. With Murray I then went to Surrey House, Leinster Road, the residence of Countess Markievicz. There we met Andy Dunne of the Fianna. I told the Countess that I wanted to see James Connolly to deliver a message from Tom Gill of Glasgow. I told her that I had brought some material and might need assistance. She said she would keep Andy Dunne and Murray standing by until 10pm and that Connolly would be there at 11pm.

I then went to Tom Clarke's shop to purchase as arranged, Park Drive cigarettes. There I met Charles Carrigan who had just came out of Clarke's shop. After being in the shop for a few minutes, we went to 500 North Circular Road where we had tea. Charles Carrigan had been expecting Dan Braniff to be in Dublin but, so far, he had not turned up. I was brought into a dimly lighted room where I gave a detailed report to Sean McDermott and others. I was told to go back at once to Surrey House and give Connolly the dispatch or message, and if Connolly did not appear that night I was to tell the Countess that word was to be sent to Connolly. I was to leave the material where it was meantime and report back to Sean McDermott at noon the following day. I then left for Surrey House and Charles Carrigan went part of the way with me. Carrigan said that if I failed to arrive in Dublin on time, he was to be sent to Glasgow in connection with the billeting of IRB and Volunteers in Dublin. I told him I understood he was to arrange lodging for some of the Glasgow men in Navan and that he was staying in Cootehill.

Seamus Reader

Interview with Sean MacDiarmada

On the following day, 2^nd January, 1916 I called at 500 North Circular Road, Dublin, where I had an interview with Sean MacDermott. He questioned me about the possibilities in Scotland for the transporting of arms via Liverpool to Dublin. He said he was aware that the O'Rahilly of the Volunteers had made new contacts in England. I told him I knew that The O'Rahilly had been in touch with John Carney of Govan, who was an ex-Colonel of the Glasgow Regiment of the Irish National Volunteers, but that neither Captain Joe Robinson nor the Scottish IRB Military Board had mentioned the matter to me, and that for the past few months I had been crossing backwards and forwards to Ireland and thus had missed attending some meetings which had taken place while I was in Ireland. He said that should some rifles be procured in Glasgow, they intended to get them addressed to the Dublin Fruit Market, which would be arranged by Walter Cole. They also need the assistance of the Dublin dockers, and that could be arranged through the influence of James Connolly. He said that because of the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union to be held on 9th January, 1916, Connolly was now attending an important executive committee of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. He was endeavouring to get Connolly and some of the other members of the IRB Military Council to a meeting early that evening, and that I should call to Cole's, Mountjoy Square, at tea time. He also said that while I was in Dublin I was not to call at the Volunteers' Headquarters or any of the Volunteer or Fianna halls or dances.

Shortly after 5pm on the 2^nd, January 1916, I went to Cole's house, Mountjoy Square, Dublin, where, while waiting in the kitchen for tea, I jotted my coded notes for my report to Scotland. I then went to the room where I met Tom Clarke, Sean McDermott, J Connolly, P Pearse and McDonagh. Connolly was giving his opinion that general billeting in Ireland would not be successful as the position at General Headquarters of the Volunteers was bad because of the difference in opinion of the officers with regard to the army in Ireland and the European War. Some believed that the Volunteers should be a defence force to protect Ireland against all enemies, foreign and domestic. With the news from Scotland, Connolly believed that after the arrest of extreme leaders a scheme would be devised in the interests of Britain to utilise the Irish Volunteers and Ulster Volunteers and that a number of the present leaders would be discredited. MacDermott gave a brief summary of my statement and account of my activities since leaving Glasgow on the 31^st December, 1915, with A Carmichael and E Murray. P Pearse said that he would be presiding at the Central Executive of the Irish Volunteers on the 4^th January, 1916 at Headquarters, Dawson Street where the business of reorganising and arming the Volunteers would be brought up by Thomas McDonagh. He said that the Central Council of the Irish Volunteers would be meeting at 12 noon on the Sunday of January 16^th, 1916, and he would like, if it were possible for Captain Joe Robinson and Pat McCullam or Tomas O'Baun of Glasgow to be present and there they would discuss other matters concerning Irish Volunteers with E MacNeil, Bulmer Hobson and the O'Rahilly.

The report from Scotland was put by Connolly. It concerned the possibility of Socialist and Nationalist papers being suppressed, and the arrests of the anti-conscription and Free Speech Committees under the Defence of the Realm Act, and a message from McGill to Connolly that there was likely to be a split in the National Socialist Party over the Munitions of War Act. Connolly said that Ireland could not wait until 1917 0r 1918. John MacLean expected to be arrested in January or February, as he intended demonstrating against Conscription. The workers should strike, and those who had guns should use them.

John MacLean was arrested in February, 1916, and conveyed to Edinburgh Castle as a prisoner of war.

The report concerning the Volunteers in Ireland was put by McDonagh. The billeting of men from the IRB Circles in Glasgow, Liverpool and London was discussed. I was to take orders back to Scotland for the sending over of A Carmichael (carpenter), B Friel (plumber) and P Morrin (slater) for Kimmage and St Edna's, and also to remind Joe Robinson and T McDonald of the special list of turners, fitters and miners experienced in the use of explosives.

Too Many Arrests

Connolly made it known that Liberty Hall and Surrey House would be prepared for a state of siege from a given date, and recommended that all reliableVolunteer officers under MacDermott's jurisdiction should be given instructions to do the same and resist arrest as far too many of the Volunteer organisers were being arrested and deported. Sean McDermott was just lately released from prison after serving a short term in 1915, but Connolly was referring to Monteith. Liam Mellows, Earnest Blyth and others and to the Defence of the Realm Act Regulations, 1914 under which men were ordered to cease residing in or near the vicinity of a defended port or a proclaimed area. Some of the Volunteers and IRB officers who later came under these regulations were Alfred Cotton, Terence MacSwiney, Denis McCullough and Sean McGarry. I was told that the next consignment of material was to be for Tobin's of Wellington Lane, unless otherwise ordered. I was also told I had been recommended by the Scottish Divisional Board of the IRB as their military representative, which demanded the utmost secrecy. After enquiring about my financial position, I was told to get back to Scotland as soon as possible. I agreed to leave Dublin next day. I then went back to Surrey House, had supper, did some coding and went to bed.

The Citizen Army

On the morning of the 3^rd January, 1916, Connolly had a long talk with me at Surrey House. He enquired when I had seen Con Colbert and Captain Sean Heuston of the Fianna. I told him that the last time I had met them was early in December, 1915, and that one or both of them were to be at Daly's in Limerick at Christmas, 1915. He told me that E Murray would not be taking part in any more transactions with me in the work of the organisation (meaning the IRB). He said he had recommended to Sean McDermott that Captain Seamus Dempsey should work with me. He jokingly said that when the fight would start, he would endeavour to run it on Trade Union lines, and out of respect for my being a good Scotsman there would be no fighting on the Sabbath Day. He said that time was moving fast to the day when Ireland would have to assert herself against the menace of Conscription. I was given to understand by the talk that the Irish Citizen Army had no funds, and no source of getting any, and that Connolly had sold some of the ICA material to the Military Council. He had heard of the Scottish Board collecting gold coins and about 300 rifles. I told him that because of my being rushed backward and forward to Ireland and Scotland I had no clear details but believed that Pat McCullum was responsible for dealing with the scheme for procuring the rifles. He told me to tell Robinson that some members of the organisation (IRB) on the Volunteer Council were supporting the marktime policy and were solely political. He said that within a day or two he would be going north to get reports and would send a communication to Glasgow for McGill within a few days. He wished me luck and hoped I would be stationed in Dublin or the North. I left Dublin in the afternoon for Belfast, where I took the boat for Ardrossan and train to Glasgow. When making my report in Glasgow, I learned that Seamus Dempsey had left Belfast for USA.

On the morning of the 4^th January, 1916, I arrived in Glasgow. I went to Liam Gribbon's shop in the Saltmarket and left a message to be delivered to P O'Neill (IRB). I then went to Joe Robinson's home, where I stayed until he came home and I made my report to him from Dublin. I then went to A Carmichael's home, where I stayed the night.

On the 5^th January, 1916, after receiving notice from Liam Gribbon, I attended an IRB meeting in the Hall, London Street, Glasgow. Present were Denis Canning, Tom McDonald, Pat O'Neill, Tom White, Pat McCullum, Phil Graham, Liam Oswald and J Robinson. As my report from Dublin was most important, Tom White was instructed to take notes in case they were needed as minutes for the Divisional Board meeting of the Scottish IRB Joe Robinson said he had received his report from me and would attend to all matters concerning 'A' Company, Glasgow Irish Volunteers. After my report it was agreed to speed up activities in Scotland in the interest of the Military Council of the IRB in Ireland. Liam Oswald said he would have reports from the Young Scots and the Clyde Revolutionary Party by Sunday, the 9^th January, 1916. P O'Neill said he would see that instructions would be sent to all circles, that he would see Liam Gribbon that night so that the instructions would be dealt with immediately. At the close of the meeting, P O'Neill told me to hold myself in readiness as I might have to return to Ireland very soon, and that from now on, whenever possible, I would be attending Divisional Board meetings of the organisation in Scotland.

On the 8^th January, 1916, I presided at a meeting of Fianna officers at the Volunteer HQ Hall, Ann Street, Glasgow at 3pm. The business was the dealing with youths over 14 years of age for Craoibh Ruadh, and the young boys from Willie Nelson Sluagh, Glasgow and Govan. After the meeting P O'Neill, who was in the Hall, told me to attend an IRB meeting the following morning, the 9^th January, 1916, at 11am in the Sinn Fein Hall, London Street, Glasgow.

The case of those of 18 years and members of the Volunteers could go to Ireland.

After a most exciting 12 days in Scotland my problem on the evening of Saturday the 15^th of January 1916 was to get out of the City of Glasgow immediately and on my way to Ireland with one and a half hundredweight of high explosives, some small arms and ammunition, six Irish Volunteers under my command to act as transport escort and three sets of instructions concerning the IRB, ICA and IV.

We assembled in the Glasgow Irish Volunteers Headquarters, Ann Street, which was not far from the Railway Station and, when our parking was completed, and assurance given to the enquiries as to the weather forecast - would there be fog? - would the sea be rough? - the floating mines and German submarines, we proceeded to the Central Station, Glasgow to get the train for the Belfast Steamer at Ardrossan. Some of our baggage was put in the Guards van and members of the Glasgow Cumann na mBan and Volunteers gave us a send off, throwing confetti on us, which withdrew the suspicion of the Irish detectives at the Station. During the period ships could not leave "British Ports" without the consent of the "British Admiralty" who were responsible for the ships' movements against German submarines. On the all clear we sailed for Belfast.

January 16th - Sunday 1916

On the morning of Sunday, 16^th January, 1916, prior to the ship berthing at Belfast, I instructed the Volunteers abroad ship with me as to our behaviour and procedure while ashore in Belfast. I explained to them that, officially, I was expected to arrive at the North Wall, Dublin, that morning, and not in Belfast, that owing to the new set of circumstances and on the instructions of Joe Robinson, we were now to land at Belfast and there was a possibility that our friends might not be on the look-out for us at the Belfast docks, that, in event of there being a delay in our getting ashore in Belfast, Sean and Seamus Rice would go to their pre-arranged lodgings in the city, that the remaining five of us would proceed to the Great Northern Railway Station, to try and get the 9am train to Dublin, thus leaving no material in Belfast, but that, if we were ashore at Belfast too early, F Scullion, C Turner and myself would take a jaunting car, with all the munitions, to McGlade's house, Falls Road, and that Sean and Seamus Rice, Sean Hegarty and Seamus McGollaghy would follow, with the personal luggage, in another car, or, if possible, a cab.

As we were allowed ashore early, we carried out the latter course. When we arrived at McGlade's house, we could not get admittance and we were told by neighbours that the sisters McGlade had gone out to early Mass. As any delay in this quiet district might cause suspicion, I decided to proceed to the Belfast home of James Connolly and get in touch with the Belfast Volunteers Officers. On arriving at the house, we were received by Mrs Connolly, her two daughters and son, Roddy. I apologised for our sudden arrival, and said we would leave as soon as possible.

We had been observed by Volunteer scouts as we went on through the city to McGlade's. One of the Dempsey's I am not sure whether it was Paddy or Seamus, called on us at Connolly's and told me that Dennis McCullagh was out of town, and that it would be dangerous to go to the Fianna huts at Willowbank. He then went to Donnelly's for instructions and information. Sean Hegarty and Seamus McGollaghy went to the railway station, for information concerning trains to Dublin, Sean and Seamus Rice were told to fix themselves up in Belfast until they got instructions from Dublin. Later, the Rice's came back to the house, and told me that the next train for Dublin was in the afternoon, and that, when Sean Hegarty Seamus McGollaghy arrived at the station, they learnt that a train was about to leave for Dublin and they boarded it.

From the information I got in Connolly's, I gathered that there was about to be some commotion. Some of them thought that the house was under observation by the RIC, and might be raided, so I was anxious to get clear of the city. I requested Ina Connolly and someone else to go out and get a car. Before leaving Belfast, we had to leave some of the material behind, a quarter of a stone of explosives, one exploder and a hundred detonators. The Rices were instructed to leave their small arms and ammunition in Belfast before going to Dublin.

Later F Scullion, C Turner, and myself left for Dublin on the 2.30pm train. I tipped the porters well. They were under the impression that the luggage contained books and tools. It was put in the guard's van.

At about 5.15pm that evening, F Scullion, C Turner and myself arrived at Amiens Street railway station, Dublin. After waiting for some time for some contact to get in touch with us, I hired a jaunting car to take us as far as North Frederick Street. On the way, we dropped F Scullion, who was going to his home on the north side of the city. I told the jarvey that I was not sure of my destination as my friend, with whom I was going to stay, had failed to turn up at the station.

We drove around the vicinity three times, but failed to locate Wellington Lane, of which I had only a hazy mental picture. After so much excitement since I had got my instructions on the 2^nd, January, 1916, from Sean McDermott, I felt at a loss, for the moment. The jarvey must htave sensed something, for on the third trip along North Frederick Street, he suggested getting the assistance of two policemen, who were standing at the corner of Abbey Presbyterian Church, North Frederick Street. Passing the muzzle of my gun against his hip, I told him to keep driving. He told me to keep calm, and that he would help me.

When he got to Dorset Street, the jarvey said that the Volunteers and the Countess had addressed meetings from his car. I believed him, and ordered him to take us to Leinster Road, Rathmines, telling him that he would be well compensated. We halted at a corner near Surrey House, and I proceeded alone to the house. I found that the lower window was wide open, and when I got no reply at my knocking the door, I shouted through this window. I knew that there was someone in the house, by the flickering shadow on the hall-wall and the candle light in the kitchen. On entering the kitchen I founds Theo. Fitzgerald there, helping himself to jam sandwiches. He was surprised to see me. I put him on his honour, as a member of the Fianna, and told him I wanted to know John Tobin's address at once, with as much secrecy as possible. Ss he knew the address, he returned with me in the car, and we all drove to Wellington Lane.

I halted the car at the entrance to the lane, and we unloaded our material. I paid the jarvey well. We got plenty of assistance from Toibin's house, from where most of the stuff was sent to St. Enda's college, the following morning, and later to Kimmage.

I told J Tobin that I would have to explain to James Connolly what had happened in Belfast, and I would stay that night in Surrey House, and that I would report to D'Olier Street on the following morning.

On arriving at Surrey House, which seemed to be crowded, the Countess realised that I was very tired, and ordered me to rest, stating that I could report to Connolly before going to McDermott in the morning.

On the morning of the 17^th January, 1916 at Surrey House, the Countess told me that James Connolly would have a talk with me that night, and that I could report to Sean McDermott at once after breakfast.

I went to D'Olier Street, where I gave a report to Sean McDermott. He very much showed his appreciation of our success in getting the material to Dublin, and said that the capture of such an amount of high explosives by the British authorities would have ruined all their plans. He told me to report back to him at 5pm, as he had some contacts to make. When I returned to his office, Sean McDermott told me that Sean Hegarty had called on him, and had reported that I and others had been under police observation in Belfast, and that he was doubtful if they would be able to get the stuff through to Dublin. MacDermott did not inform Sean Hegarty that we had arrived in Dublin, and that the material had been safely disposed of.

He told me to go back to Surrey House where I could talk to Connolly, but to no one else, about this matter. He also told me that he was not pleased with the Volunteer Supreme Council meeting, held on Sunday, 16^th January, and gave me the impression that he was going to have a very important meeting with special individuals that night, and that he would contact me later. I then left for Surrey House.

Views of Connolly

On the night of the 17^th January, 1916 at Surrey House before going to bed, I had a long talk with James Connolly. He told me that, through the Transport Unions, they had now established quick lines of communication between Glasgow and Dublin. This was to be carried out by the dockers on both sides, by seamen and cattle drovers. He said that national leaders of Ireland were about to be faced with a crisis; as to how they would act, he had his doubts.

I was telling him that Sean MacDermott had said that I could give him the Scottish Report, but no one else, when the Countess and Michael Mallin entered the room. I gathered from his remarks that he had been in conference with Pearse and MacDermott, that they had discussed with him the reports of the Volunteer, Cumann na mBan and Fianna Eireann Conventions held in 1915, and that there was a feeling, among the younger minds in Dublin, that the older men were going to let them down. I thought that the points that he was stressing to Mallin and the Countess were that there was a change in the IRB Military Council, or about to be, and that he, Pearse and MacDermott were the council that would formulate for action. In fact I got the impression that, at any moment, we would find ourselves in defensive action, or spontaneous melees.

Mallin wanted to know about the new Glasgow Fianna IRB bomb. I told him that I had not heard of any, but that I knew that B Friel and A Carmichael had ideas on the subject, and that they should be arriving in Dublin any time now. Mallin said that he would try and arrange for me to meet Jim O'Neill and Seamus McGowan on Wednesday. I told him that I should like to meet them again but that I could make no arrangements, as I was waiting on instructions. Connolly assured him of such, and the meeting ended.

On the morning of the 18^th January, 1916, I had another talk with James Connolly, before he left Surrey House to go to his office.

At nearly twelve noon, the Countess told me that a messenger had just left word that I was to go to Sean MacDermott's office between 1pm and 2pm that day. Cormac Turner, who was also staying temporarily at Surrey House, but who had no part in the interview with Connolly and the others, had agreed with me that he should locate Sean Hegarty and Sean McGallogly so that we could make a report to Sean MacDermott, and find out about the position of the billeting of men from Scotland and the finding of temporary employment for them until such time as they would be in action.

Sean MacDermott's Views

I discussed this matter later with Sean MacDermott. He said that Ireland would be forced into action at any moment, that events in England, and specially in Scotland, were moving fast, and that certain Irish and Irish-American transactions had got out of hand. He said he was sending two short statements to Scotland on the facts that I had been aware of, and that I should be able to make the necessary explanations, and that for that reason, he wanted me to go back to Scotland at once, to speed up affairs. He said it was important that Joe Robinson should get the men on the special list to Dublin, as port controls would get tighter and my work more difficult. He also stated that it had been suggested that I should take instructions for Dungannon, on my way, but his opinion was that I should go tomorrow, Wednesday, 19^th January, from Dublin to Greenock, Glasgow. I agreed to do so. He gave me five pounds, two letters and Fianna badges for the men, to show when they came to Dublin. I then met Cormac Turner and S Hegarty on the premises. S Hegarty was pleased that my transactions were completed.

He said he had promised Joe Robinson that he would let him know when he had arrived safely. I told him not to bother, as I would be in Scotland as soon as his postcard. I left them with S MacDermott and went back to Surrey House.

I learned afterwards that, earlier that night, or on the next morning, Wednesday, 19^th January, S Hegarty did send a telegram to No. 10 Robson Street, Govanhill, Glasgow, stating, "Arrived safe and well", signed "Reader".

Before going to bed that night, I memorised my interview and coded some notes for my report in Scotland.

On the 19^th January (Wednesday), I rested all day in Surrey House, Dublin. In the afternoon, the Countess sent someone (I think Andy Dunne of the Dublin Fianna) to book my ticket for the boat to Glasgow, and that evening I left Dublin. Andy Dunne was constantly at Surrey house, as he was being tutored by the Countess in voice production and music. He was well known as a singer at Irish concerts in Dublin at that period.

I learned later (in the month of May 1916) from Joe Robinson that, while I was aboard ship on, my way to Scotland, Joe Robinson's home at No. 10 Robson Street, Govanhill, Glasgow, was searched at 11pm on the 19^th January, 1916. Found in the house was a telegram from Dublin, stating "Arrived safe and well", signed, "Reader".

This telegram was sent by Sean Hegarty to Joe Robinson, unknown to me. Also found in the house, in a cabinet, were a .22 automatic pistol, some cartridges and a list of Dublin addresses. In Joe Robinson's pocket were found the keys of the Glasgow Irish Volunteer Headquarters Hall, 32 Ann Street. Joe Robinson was put under arrest in the early hours of Thursday, 20^th January, at 12.15am. Later that day they searched the Hall and papers relating to the Irish Volunteers were found. Some high explosives, and cartridges were also found. Robinson was then taken to prison, and detained. On Thursday morning (20^th January), I arrived at Lieutenant A Carmichael's home, at Argyle street, Glasgow. When I entered the house, I took off my overcoat, and hung it on the back of a room door, taking my revolver and ammunition from the pockets and puttying them in my jacket pockets where I also had two despatches. I then took my jacket off, and hung it over the back of a chair. I went into the kitchen. Mrs Carmichael said she was pleased that I had come, that she was in trouble. During a conversation, she began to cry, and said that her husband had gone out to work, but before leaving the house, had told her that he had found explosives in Alex's (their son) room, and that, if they were not removed by night time, either he or Alex would to leave the house. I told Mrs Carmichael not to worry, that he should not have had them in the house, and that I would take them away, after I had had a rest. I was not long in the house when Mrs Carmichael answered a knock at the door. She was followed back into the kitchen by a man, claiming to be a tramcar inspector, and wishing to interview Seamus Reader regarding a tramcar accident in which his name was given as a witness. On being told that I could not be a witness to the accident mentioned, as I was not in the city at the time, he wanted to know where I was. I told him that I had just arrived from Dublin, that I knew he was not a tramcar inspector, that he was Sergeant G Maguire, G Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, operating in Glasgow. He said he had a detailed account of my movements for the past six months, and that I would have to make a statement on my recent visit to Ireland. He said that I left Glasgow on 15^th January, and while in Dublin sent a telegram to Glasgow. I told him that I had not sent any telegram (which of course was true). I learned afterwards that it was Sean Hegarty who had sent the telegram in my name, without my knowledge, by arrangement with Joe Robinson. The detective sergeant then asked me where I had stayed while in Dublin. I told him I had lodged with my aunt, but as she was ill and I did not want her annoyed, I therefore would not give him her address, as he would cause her home to be raided by the RIC. He then said he would have to search me, and asked for the jacket I wore in Dublin.

I then remembered that Mrs Carmichael had told me about explosives being in the house, so I told the sergeant I was responsible for all the explosives in the house, and showed him Alex's bedroom. While he was looking for and examining the explosives, I went into the next bed-sitting room where my jacket was hanging on the back of a chair. I lifted my jacket with my left hand, and was withdrawing with my other hand my revolver from the right-hand pocket of the jacket, when Mrs Carmichael seeing my action grasped me in her arms - she was a strong stoutly built woman - and shouted "no killing in my house". At this point I noticed Glasgow uniformed police running into the room where the detective-sergeant was searching. I struggled free from Mrs Carmichael's grip, and threw my jacket under a concealed bed, the loaded revolver, twenty rounds of .31 ammunition, and two despatches still in the pockets of the jacket. As I was moving towards the window, the police rushed in and seized me. The Irish detective-sergeant then entered, and told the police in the room to get me to the police station in all haste. He told me to take off my green Fianna tunic and Sam Browne belt. When handing them over, I told him that my jacket and overcoat were hanging on the back of the room door. He searched them and gave them to me to put on. In the excitement, he did not notice that the jacket was too big for me, as it belonged to Alex Carmichael. I quickly covered it with my overcoat, and was then taken to Cranstonhill Police Station, to be charged and detained.

As I was being escorted to prison, Liam Gribbon, Quartermaster of A Company, and members of the Friel family entered Mrs Carmichael's house and secured my jacket. L Gribbon kept and dealt with the despatches intended for Captain Joe Robinson. He gave the IRB despatches to Pat O'Neill, and the revolver to Mrs Margaret Skinnider of Cumann na mBan, to keep for me, as it was a present from the Countess Markievicz in 1915. It was sent from England by the O'Rahilly to John Carney in Scotland who delivered it to me at his shop in Govan. When Tom White was going to Dublin at Easter, 1916, he had to dispose of it when trying to pass the pickets and barricades in Dublin during the fighting in Easter Week.

On the morning of the 2oth January, 1916 after being brought into Cranstonhill Police Station, Glasgow, I was again searched, and it was only then that the old police station sergeant noticed that the jacket I was wearing did not fit me. When the police realised that they had been tricked, I was punched on the ear by the Irish detective, and then locked in a cell. They rushed off again to Carmichael's house to get my jacket, but were too late. As I already stated Liam Gribbon and Pat O'Neill had custody of it's contents. That evening, I was taken to a room in the Glasgow county Buildings for questioning by the Special Branch of the Police.

I think they must have realised that, owing to my sea journey and the excitement of my arrest, I was not in a fit state for interrogation. I was then taken to Uddingston police station and locked up for the night. Attempts were made to get a statement from me there, but I was too tired to be bothered.

In a letter from Dublin on October 31^st 1968, Reader acknowledges the contribution that was made by Scots to the Irish struggle. He states 'credit is due to the men of the Clyde Valley, the Clyde Brigade, the Scots Brigade, the Fianna na hAlba , the latter being the answer to John MacLean's pamphlet 'The Irish Tragedy'. They all saved Scotland from disgrace and we still have our noble tradition.'

N.B. Fianna na hAlba was a Scottish volunteer force which was said to have contemplated military action in the 1920's for the liberation of Scotland. The Irish leaders cautioned against any such action, as they were considered to be too weak.

Sinn Fein in Scotland in the 1950's

Sinn Fein maintained an active presence in Scotland throughout the 1950s and functioned openly and largely without hinderance. Fortunately, reports of its activities regularly appeared in the then Republican newspaper the United Irishman.

Prominence was given to the organisation in March 1953 edition. Under the front page headline 'Glasgow Exiles Rally to Cause' it states: 'The James Connolly Cumann, Glasgow boasts that it is the oldest Cumann in the entire Sinn Fein Organisation and that it has maintained unbroken continuity since before 1916. Glasgow was one of the strongest supporting areas for the home country both prior to the Rising and from 1916 to 1921'. The report noted that 1953 witnessed a revival in the fortunes of Republicans in Scotland. The Sinn Fein President Tomas Doyle addressed a well attended meeting in the Central Halls in Bath Street, Glasgow. Sinn Fein had 2 cumainn in Glasgow; the Barnes McCormack in Dennistoun and the James Connolly Cumann in the South Side. There was a cumann in Clydebank named after Liam Mellows. In addition there was the MacSwiney and Mallin Cumann based in Saltcoats in Ayrshire, and the Thomas Clarke Cumann based in Dundee. The James Connolly Cumann had about 40 members. A Comhairle Ceantair (district committee) Albain was formed. All 5 branches were very active, holding meetings, ceilidhies and concerts. Members trudged around the Irish pubs selling the United Irishman, and collecting for the prisoners dependants fund.

Sinn Fein held its annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at the grave of the old Fenian, Dennis Canning in St Kentigern's Cemetery in Lambhill. It established an Irish Film Club and also formed the Four Masters Discussion Group. Around a thousand copies of the United Irishman were sold every month.

An interesting report appeared in the October 1955 edition of the UI in which it states that members and friends of the Thomas Clarke Cumann, Dundee paid a visit to the Connolly Cumann, Glasgow on 24 September 1955. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the bonds between the Irish of the East and West of Scotland, to co-operate in the furthering of Sinn Fein ideals and gain financial aid for the Republican Prisoners Fund. An "Around the Fire" was held in the AOH hall in Royston Road, Glasgow, at which the Thomas Clarke Cumann presented the James Connolly Cumann a Tricolour made by the wife of the Clarke Cumann's chairman. The presentation was a token of appreciation for the work of the Connolly Cumann in keeping the spirit of Irish Republicanism alive during the years of apathy which preceeded the present resurgence.

Prominent figures in Sinn Fein in Scotland were Patrick Moohan, Felix Jordan, Seamus Hyndland, Peadar Marron, Seamus O'Sullivan, Seamus Henderson, Frank McGowan and Tom Brady.