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“We Had A Tough Week In The South Dublin Union”

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During the Easter Rising the large site of the South Dublin Union was occupied by sixty men under the command of Éamonn Ceannt. John Joyce tells of two encounters with British forces and praises the bravery of Cathal Brugha, Vice-Commandant, 4th Battalion.

Our men had hardly taken up their positions when at 12.45 a large British formation with bayonets fixed proceeded past Kilmainham and up Mount Brown on the main road to the city. We opened fire and they scattered with heavy losses. They soon reformed however and launched an attack through the fields.

John Joyce was a member of ‘C’ Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers.

John Joyce was interviewed for the television programme 'I Remember Easter' broadcast on Telefís Éireann, 22 April 1962.

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