Attempt to Spring Sean MacEoin from
Mountjoy Prison
Introduction from Chronology
The IRA attempt to rescue of Sean MacEoin from Mountjoy Jail but
it does not succeed.
More Detail
An IRA team comprising Tom Keogh, Bill Stapleton, Patrick Lawson, Paddy
McCaffrey and Pat McCrea capture a British armoured car (after scouting by
Charlie Dalton) at an abattoir in Aughrim St. in Dublin. During this capture Private George
Saggers of the BA’s RASC is shot dead.
They drive the armoured car to the North Circular Rd where they pick up
Emmet Dalton and Pat Leonard who were dressed in British Army uniforms.
They drive into Mountjoy Jail with a written Order to remove MacEoin.
However, MacEoin was not in the Governor Munroe's office as planned. A
sentry seen some civilians, who were part of the IRA rescue party, rush the
front gate and shot at them so the rescue party withdrew with one casualty on
the British side.
The rescue attempt was organised
by Michael Collins and the rescue party was led by Paddy O'Daly.