Author Topic: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922  (Read 26768 times)

Offline dc51

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Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« on: Sunday 29 November 09 00:45 GMT (UK) »
I'd Like to start this thread with a story from my grandmothers family in Phibsboro.
Charlie Egan arrived at the Healy house hold with a sack full of old British army uniforms. The women set about cleaning them and patching them up. A man by the name of Fallon who lived near by, was sent for as he had been in the BA during the war. They needed to know where to apply stripes, insignia etc...
The plan was a brazen one, to break a prisoner/s from prison (probably mountjoy) by getting access into the prison using forged papers and a fake British army escort.
Does anyone have any information on this event, did it actually happen? Were they successful?

Offline Oaks and Acorns

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 29 November 09 01:30 GMT (UK) »
This sounds like an interesting family legend and probably contains a grain of truth.

Could you elaborate on some of the details as the period from 1916 to 1922 in your heading is very vague.

Who was Charlie Egan, who were the Healys and who was the gentleman named as Fallon? When did this incident take place?

Some more detail would be helpful if any meat is going to be put on the bones of a good story.

Dara.

Offline dc51

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 29 November 09 02:49 GMT (UK) »
Family legend!? perhaps, that what I'm trying to find out.
Christopher Healy Lived at 188 Phibsboro Rd. He, his three daughters and two of his sons played an active part in the rising in 1916. His younger son Sean (Jack) was fatally wounded on easter monday at Doyles corner. a momorial  flag stone was placed at the spot on his 90th anniversary.
Christopher's primary position or function during the troubles, was munitions, organizing, repairing and supplying them. Charlie Egan was his close associate through this times. As far as I know, his wife's name was Bridget and they had a family. They probably lived in the Phibsboro area? I'm hoping someone knows the family and they can help add to this.
I don't know much about Fallon, other then he lived close by and sometimes worked for Christopher.
Perhaps he has decedents who might have some information.
I have no date for the jail break story, other then some time between 1919 and 1921     
There was also a Charlie Cole or Coles who was a regular visitor to the Healy household.

Offline Ms. Smokestoomuch

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 29 November 09 12:20 GMT (UK) »
That escape sounds a bit like one I've read.
Sean McEoin in Mountjoy.
The use of Uniforms in the escape rang a bell.
I'm not sure they got him out but other prisoners escaped.

The IRA noticed that the British always sent an armoured car out to an abattoir on the North Circular Rd.
The captured it and used it to get into Mountjoy. I think things went well up to the point that the prisoner wasn't able to be where they expected. But I think others escaped. Tom Keogh shot a sentry during it.
Other names involved were Emmett Dalton, Pat McCrea, Joe Leonard, Aine Malone and Tom Keogh. I'd imagine there were many more.

Maybe there was other occasions that British uniforms were used.
I found a good account of it in Curious Journey by Kenneth Griffith and Timothy O'Grady.

Well maybe someone could tell you is this the same escape or not.

Rafter, Smith, Hession, O'Gara, Leech, Durkin, McManus, Eustace, O'Brien, Hyland, White, Hoey, Maher, Martin, McConaghy, Flynn, Davy.
Ballybough, Ballina, Ballyinaglea, Sligo , Casleconner, Killucan, Royal Canal. Ballymoney(wex).


Offline dc51

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 29 November 09 12:34 GMT (UK) »
That escape sounds a bit like one I've read.
Sean McEoin in Mountjoy.
The use of Uniforms in the escape rang a bell.
I'm not sure they got him out but other prisoners escaped.

The IRA noticed that the British always sent an armoured car out to an abattoir on the North Circular Rd.
The captured it and used it to get into Mountjoy. I think things went well up to the point that the prisoner wasn't able to be where they expected. But I think others escaped. Tom Keogh shot a sentry during it.
Other names involved were Emmett Dalton, Pat McCrea, Joe Leonard, Aine Malone and Tom Keogh. I'd imagine there were many more.

Maybe there was other occasions that British uniforms were used.
I found a good account of it in Curious Journey by Kenneth Griffith and Timothy O'Grady.

Well maybe someone could tell you is this the same escape or not.


Well that's a lead any, I'll look that up, thanks very much

Offline Quaxer

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 29 November 09 21:51 GMT (UK) »
dc51

I have some recollection that the same ruse was used by Allied Prisoners of War to escape from Colditz Castle during World War II.



Regards       Quaxer

Offline heywood

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 29 November 09 23:34 GMT (UK) »
Hello,

Christopher Healy, wife Helena and several children in Phibsboro Road in 1911 census. There is a Patrick Fallon and family also but that could be coincidence.
I can't spot Charlie/Charles Egan with wife Bridget but he could have married 1911-1916.
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Offline dc51

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #7 on: Monday 30 November 09 00:59 GMT (UK) »
Hello,

Christopher Healy, wife Helena and several children in Phibsboro Road in 1911 census. There is a Patrick Fallon and family also but that could be coincidence.
I can't spot Charlie/Charles Egan with wife Bridget but he could have married 1911-1916.
Hello Heywood,
I think Charlie may have married after 1922. This could be him in this link.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Dublin/Wood_Quay__part_of_/Windsor_Cottages/82534/
I think he may have been single during that time. He may have lived a bit rough and ready, as he may have played the part of an old tramp when moving weapons, so he probably was'nt too young.
According to my mother, he may have been several years younger then her grandfather,Christopher.
I don't think the Fallon link is correct, as the age profiles don't fit, unless there was another young man of the right age to be in WW1. Although he could have been missing on the night of the census.

Offline heywood

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Re: Any stories/info from 1916 -1922
« Reply #8 on: Monday 30 November 09 09:09 GMT (UK) »
Hello,

yes it could well be him - I saw that one for Egan. There is also a widow, Mrs Fallon in the Philsboro area (could be the mother)  and young Mr Fallon could be anywhere- we have no first name so too many Fallons.

best wishes
heywood
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