Anti-Treaty IRA Reaction to Attack on Four Courts
They issue a proclamation to “Fellow Citizens of the Irish Republic” stating that “our rightful cause is being treacherously assailed by recreant Irishmen” and appeals “to all citizens … to rally to the support of the Republic and recognise that the resistance now being offered is but a continuance of the struggle that was suspended by the truce with the British”. This proclamation is signed by all members of the Executive of the anti-Treaty IRA including the four who are in the Four courts. Lynch makes his way to Kingsbridge (Heuston) Station where he is detained, along with Liam Deasy and Sean Culhane by Pro-Treaty troops under Liam Tobin. He is interviewed by Eoin O’Duffy in Wellington (Griffith) Barracks but is let continue on his journey south. Controversy later arose as to whether Lynch gave assurances as to his neutrality before being released as O’Duffy claimed. Macardle says that he refused to commit himself. Traveling with him was Seamus Robinson who had now being made O/C of the 2nd Southern Division.
According to Macardle the following were the signatories of the proclamation: Liam Lynch; Frank Barrett; Liam Deasy; Tom Hales; Joseph McKelvey; Liam Mellows ; Rory O'Connor; Peadar O'Donnell; Ernie O'Malley; Seamus Robinson; Joe O'Connor; Sean Moylan; PJ Ruttledge; Michael Kilroy; Tom Derrig, Tom Barry and Pax Whelan. (Macardle again makes Thomas Kilroy a member of the Executive rather than Tom Maguire.) McKelvey, Rory O’Connor, Mellows and O’Malley were in the Four Courts.