1916 courts martial and executions: Sean Heuston

A note found in the Mendicity Institute after the surrender of the Irish Volunteers, was an order from Connolly to a “Captain Houston” and not to “Heuston”, the rebel leader told his court martial.

Heuston’s court martial file, held at the British National Archives, Kew, London, contained documents, including two message books, recovered from the Mendicity Institute, a charity based at Usher’s Island, on the quays.

The note from Connolly was among the papers. It was typed and headed "Army of the Irish Republic" and dated April 24th, 1916. It was addressed to "Captain Houston", signed "James Connolly, Commandant-General, Dublin Division", and said "Seize the mendicity at all cost".

Heuston (25) was tried with three others, W O’Dea, P Kelly and J Crenigan, on May 4th, the documents show, before Brig Gen Ernest Maconchy, Lieut Col Arthur Bent and Maj Francis Willoughby Woodward. All four defendants pleaded not guilty.

Capt AW MacDermot, 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, identified Heuston and his three comrades as being among men who surrendered at the Mendicity Institute, on April 26th. He said some of the men had revolvers. When he searched the building, he found “several rifles, several thousand rounds of ammunition for both revolvers and rifles” and “6 or 7 bombs charged and with fuses in them ready for use”. He also found messages and two message books, which were signed by Heuston.

The message books, contained in the file, were each titled “Field Report Pad” cost 4d and contained carbon paper. One contained copies of messages sent to “Comdt. General Connolly” giving particulars of the situation in the institute.

The other book contained copies of messages commencing on April 22nd, two days before the start of the Rising. One message, addressed to R Balfe, said: “No matter what time you finish tonight, come over here” and was signed by Heuston. Another referred to “MacDonagh” as having left “half an hour ago”. A third message, dated April 23rd, to “all members of D Coy 1st Batn” said “there is no parade today. Take this as definite and ignore all rumours.” It is also signed by Heuston. Another message dated the 23rd, and in what looks like a different hand, states: “I hope we will be able to do better next time.”

A message dated April 25th, to “Comdt General Connolly, Headquarters”, said: “Still here with 13 men. Very little enemy activity in vicinity at present.” It said enemy groups were at Benburb Street, Blackhall Place, John Street and Queen Street. “Have you any special instructions or news?”

Another message, dated April 26th, to “Qr Master Staines HQ” asks if he can “arrange for somebody to see after wife and children of Tom Kelly, 53 Harold Road”. Both are signed by Heuston.

Other loose notes, handwritten, listed duty rosters for the “stairs”, “hall” and “special”, with instructions about where the men should sleep “with full equipment”.

Another page contained lists of items that may have been confiscated from named persons. Patrick Kelly appeared to have a watch, a penknife, a leather purse with 4d, a connecting tube, two keys and a trousers clip.

The 2nd witness, Lieut WP Connolly, 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was also present at the surrender.

“Heuston was without a coat when he surrendered and also had no hat on. He was not in the uniform of the Irish Volunteers,” he said. He too found arms at the Mendicity, including old German Mausers and “Spange” German ammunition, and documents.

When cross-examined by Heuston, Lieut Connolly was not able to say exactly where, in the building, he found the message books.

In his defence, Heuston said the message in the notebook, that said “I hope we will be able to do better next time”, was not his. And the order from Connolly addressed to “Captain Houston” was not addressed to him, as his name was “Heuston”.

He was executed on May 8th, with Eamonn Ceannt, Con Colbert and Michael Mallin.