As the fighting in Dublin became more intense in July 1922 the city centre became a burned out ruin again, as it did like in the wake of the Easter Rising. One man, who fought on the side of Partrick Pearse, during the Rising told reporters; “I do not know what you think…bit I think that the action of the men responsible for this ruin has been a crime against the nation. It has no parallel with Easter Week.” He was not the only one dismayed with the destruction, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Lord Mayor and Douglas Hyde all made a tour of O’Connell Street when the fighting died down.

Many people also came out to view the ruins, some from the safer location of the platform erected around Nelson’s pillar for the funerals of the fallen. A big crowd turned out to line O’Connell Street for the military funerals, which made their way to Glasnevin Cemetery. “The dirge of pipers’ band announced their approach, and as the gun-carriage and five hearses moved past, the head were uncovered and the people stood in silent tribute to the heroic dead.”

Sources

15 July 1922 – Freeman’s Journal – Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

15 July 1922 – Freeman’s Journal – Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

“It was a dull morning. A slight mist overhung the river and when the first observers reached O’Connell Bridge the familiar green dome of the attacked building was obscured. But from the south side of the river the sudden flash of the gun could be seen and down the wide alley of the Liffey come the crash of shell and bomb and the sustained rattle of the smaller arms.”

Weekly Freeman’s Journal 01 July 1922

On June 28th 1922, the Irish Civil War began. The National Army attacked the anti-Treaty troops who had occupied the Four Courts under Rory O’Connor since April. An intense battle between the two sides ensued. From the outset the National Army, had better weapons, albeit supplied by the British Army had the advantage over the anti-Treaty side. But the IRA held their own, for two days, until a massive explosion, ripped through the building, razing it to the ground, left them no choice but to surrender. In spite of the destruction there were relatively few causalities.

The cause of the explosion is contested in the historiography, though the GHQ Irish Army issued a poster the following day: “Public Records Office destroyed with all its historic documents through fire caused by Irregulars’ explosion of mine.”

https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/in-depth/the-walls-came-tumbling-down

The bombardment of the Four Courts signaled to the IRA divisions throughout the country to mobilise and prepare to take on the Free State Army.

“This action caused IRA units around the country to take sides and most, especially in the south, sided with the anti-Treaty faction, now headed by Liam Lynch. Eamon de Valera initially rejoined the IRA as an ordinary volunteer…”https://www.theirishstory.com/2012/07/02/the-irish-civil-war-a-brief-overview/#.YqtVaB17nVo

Sources

Weekly Freeman’s Journal 01 July 1922

https://www.historyireland.com/the-battle-of-the-four-courts-28-30-june-1922/ By Michael Fewer

https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/in-depth/the-walls-came-tumbling-down

“JJ (Ginger) O’Connell, former engineering student at UCD and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Free State Army, is captured by forces under the command of fellow UCD graduate Rory O’Connor and held at the Four Courts garrison. “

https://centenaries.ucd.ie/1912-1923-timeline/#year-11

When Michael Collins issued his final ultimatum to the Four Courts garrison to leave the building, it not observed. The IRA unit under Rory O’Connor continued to hold out, knowing that an attack was imminent. The very next morning, June 28th the Free State Army launched their attack, commencing the first phase of the Civil War.

Sources

1912 – 1923 Timeline

Dublin Evening Telegraph 28 June 1922

With the results of the Election on June 16th, tipping well in favor of the Treaty Michael Collins, was under a new type of pressure, as leader of the Provisional Government. As the election results did not sit well with hard-line Republicans, Collins knew all too well that renewed violence could and would erupt at any moment. On June 22nd an event unfolded in London that lit the fuse which ignited the Siege of Dublin and in turn the Civil War.

“Reginald Dunne and Joseph O’Sullivan, both IRA men, assassinate Sir Henry Wilson, security advisor to Northern Irish Prime Minister James Craig, outside his house in London. The British Government, believing the killing was the work of anti-Treaty republicans, pressures Collins to attack the Four Courts.”

https://centenaries.ucd.ie/1912-1923-timeline/#year-11

Two members of the IRA were arrested and hanged for the killing. There was still 6,000 British troops remaining in Dublin, which the British Government threatened to send back into action if Michael Collins did not remove the IRA (by then considered irregulars) from the Four Courts. Anti-Treaty IRA member, Leo Henderson was arrested by the pro-Treaty forces and in retaliation, pro-Treaty officer, JJ Ginger O’Connell was taken. Read more. Micheal Collins, under immense pressure, gave the anti-Treaty forces holding out in the Four Courts one last chance to surrender and hand back JJ Ginger O’Connell.

Sources

1912 – 1923 Timeline

Northern Whig 23 June 1922

https://www.theirishstory.com/2012/07/02/the-irish-civil-war-a-brief-overview/#.YqtVaB17nVo