The attack on a train at Drumcondra on 13 February 1920 highlighted both how daring and orgainsed IRA units had become. At 8.45pm a military train, with 47 wagons left the North Wall Railway Station bound for Athlone barracks in county Westmeath. The IRA, having received intelligence about the contents on-board the train lay in wait and looked to seize the arms, most of which were miniature rifles, which would have been ideal weapons for the guerrilla campaign, which was being waged. Taking no chances and indicating that they would be ruthless in their approach, at Newcomen Bridge the signalman Michael Geraghty was shot in his cabin as the train passed through. Another signalman, William Dunne was held up between Jones Road and Drumcondra station. About twenty IRA men took up a position at Gilford Place, while a similar number remained in the street with two motor cars. Neither car had lights or numbers and the attack was carried out under the cover of darkness. The military later confirmed that they could not see their attackers. When the train came to a halt at Drumcondra three bombs were thrown at the carriages followed by a number of revolver shots. Among the military, Lance Corporal Markely was injured from shrapnel caused by the explosion and was later taken to hospital. Two masked raiders climbed on to the train and gave orders for it to be backed up. It was unclear how many weapons, if any, had been taken by the IRA during the attack.
Download Irish Examiner 1841-current, Monday, February 16, 1920
The attack on a train at Drumcondra on 13 February 1920 highlighted both how daring and orgainsed IRA units had become. At 8.45pm a military train, with 47 wagons left the North Wall Railway Station bound for Athlone barracks in county Westmeath. The IRA, having received intelligence about the contents on-board the train lay in wait and looked to seize the arms, most of which were miniature rifles, which would have been ideal weapons for the guerrilla campaign, which was being waged. Taking no chances and indicating that they would be ruthless in their approach, at Newcomen Bridge the signalman Michael Geraghty was shot in his cabin as the train passed through. Another signalman, William Dunne was held up between Jones Road and Drumcondra station. About twenty IRA men took up a position at Gilford Place, while a similar number remained in the street with two motor cars. Neither car had lights or numbers and the attack was carried out under the cover of darkness. The military later confirmed that they could not see their attackers. When the train came to a halt at Drumcondra three bombs were thrown at the carriages followed by a number of revolver shots. Among the military, Lance Corporal Markely was injured from shrapnel caused by the explosion and was later taken to hospital. Two masked raiders climbed on to the train and gave orders for it to be backed up. It was unclear how many weapons, if any, had been taken by the IRA during the attack.
Download Irish Examiner 1841-current, Monday, February 16, 1920