Start of Civil War

Introduction from Chronology

The pro-Treaty troops demand the surrender of the Four Courts for a second time (this time they demand evacuation by 4.00am).  As the men in the Four Courts stay in position, at 4.15am pro-Treaty troops, under Emmet Dalton & Tom Ennis, direct artillery fire against the Four Courts.  (The artillery was given to them by the British.)

The Civil War in the south is underway.

 

More Detail

The pro-Treaty Army had surrounded the Four Courts – even taking the Four Courts Hotel next door.  They also blocked the main gate to the Four Courts with an armoured car. They also took over the Bridewell behind the Four Courts and critically St Michan’s Church.  They set up a machine gun post in the steeple of church which gave them a clear line of fire into the Four Courts. 

Fire opened up on the Four Courts at 4.07am.  The pro-Treaty army had two 18-pounder field guns (under Emmet Dalton) situated at the bottom of Bridge St and Winetavern St.  They fired a shell every 15 minutes (hoping for a surrender by a display of force) but they soon ran out of high-explosive shells.  (Also, a lot of the shells missed their target).  Dalton had to go to Macready to plead for more (telling Macready that he was afraid that, if he didn’t get more shells, his men would “clear off”).  Macready refuses to supply Dalton with more high-explosive shells but gave him a few more shrapnel shells (these are noisy but ineffective).

Macready contacted London who had decided (see Jun-28-22/5) that the Provisional Government should be supported. The next day, Macready gave the pro-Treaty forces two more 18-pounders (which were then located at the end of Hammond Lane and the corner of Chancery Place and Chancery Street) and hundreds more high-explosive shells.

A furious fire fight broke out between attackers and defenders especially in the Church St area.  One defender (Volunteer William Doyle) and, at least, two attackers (Privates James George Walsh and Patrick McGarry) are killed.  A 14-year boy, Patrick Cosgrave, is the first civilian killed.  There were to be at least seven more civilians killed on June 28th.

 

About 1,100 pro-Treaty troops are involved in the attack with about 180 anti-Treaty men inside the Four Courts. 

Also, Frank Bolster was sent with a force to attack anti-Treaty posts on Parnell Square – see Jun-28-22/9.

 

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