8 December 1922: The Executions of Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Richard Barrett and Joseph McKelvey by the Free State Army in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin OTD. They were all members of the Anti Treaty IRA who had been captured in June of that year when the Four Courts garrison in Dublin capitulated. They had been held in captivity since then and had played no active part in the Civil War that followed. Nevertheless they were seen by the Pro Treaty side as ‘die hards’ and as men who had played a large part in galvanising armed resistance to the acceptance of the emerging Irish Free State. 

The catalyst for their executions was the attack and mortally wounding of Sean Hales TD from Co. Cork who was also a veteran of the War of Independence. This happened on Batchelors Walk Dublin two days previously. There had already been executions of prisoners but they had been executed for being found in arms against the Free State. This was different as these men had been taken before the draconian measures had been introduced and thus could be charged with no ‘crime’.

They were simply killed out of revenge and to deter more attacks against TDs and senior figures in the Free State Army and its more prominent high ranking  supporters. These extra judicial killings sent shock waves throughout Ireland in a Country that was already reeling from years of warfare and murders that had shook the Irish People to the core. 

They were told to dress and pack up their belongings, but they were given no hint as to what was to come. they washed and dressed and were escorted out of the wing. outside they were put into separate rooms and each was presented with a document which informed him that he was to be shot as a reprisal for the shooting of Sean Hales. Later they were allowed to meet and they went to their deaths together.

The Gates flew open.

Peadar O’Donnell