The trial and execution of Edward Daly, 4th May 1916

Edward Daly, Officer Commanding, First Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteeers

Described by General Maxwell as ‘one of the most prominent extremists in the Sinn Féin organisation’, Edward Daly, aged just 25, was Commandant of the First Battalion, Dublin Brigade. His command area around the Four Courts engaged the British in some of the fiercest fighting during the Rising, particularly around Church Street and North King Street, which was later described by the Pictorial Review as being like a “miniature Stalingrad.”

Street Barricades erected by the Volunteers during Easter Week 1916

On Saturday as the British cordon around the Four Courts tightened, Daly discussed a plan to launch a counter attack to save as many lives as possible in the building. However, before the plan could be effected, Elizabeth O’Farrell arrived that evening with the order for surrender. She later described Daly as being “very much cut up about it, but accepted his orders as a soldier should.”

Edward Daly led his battle worn battalion out of the Four Courts and marched them along the deserted quays to O’Connell Street where a British army general enquired of one of his troops as to who was in charge, Daly intervened to inform the general, “I am. At all events I was”. Doubtless ensuring his own death warrant. Edward Daly’s trial was conducted in Richmond Barracks on 3rd May and the three man military court was presided over by Brigader General Blackader. He was charged as follows:

“Did an act to wit did take part in an armed rebellion and in the waging of war against His Majesty the King, such act being of such a nature to be calculated to be prejudicial to the Realm and being done with the intention and for the purpose of assisting the enemy.” He entered a plea of not guilty. The prosecution called two witnesses: a Lieutenant Halpin of the Sherwood Foresters and Lieutenant AP Lindsay, of the Iniskilleen Fusillers, both of whom had been arrested and detained by the Volunteers in the Four Courts during the Rising.

The Four Courts headquarters of the First Battalion (Dublin City Libraries)

Both testified to being well treated and neither confirmed whether Daly had been seen to give orders. Lindsay testified that he had been taken into Daly’s confidence on Saturday and was told of the Garrison’s plan to launch a counter attack on British positions. No witnesses were called for the defence. In his own defence Daly informed the court that he had no dealings with any outside forces, had no foreknowledge of the Rising, and at all times acted under orders. The court found Edward Daly guilty and sentenced him to death by being shot. Following sentence Daly was transferred to Kilmainham Gaol.

Close to midnight on 3rd May Daly’s sister Kathleen Clarke, who’s husband Tom had been executed earlier that morning received an ominous knock on the door. She was handed a note from the prison. It read, ‘I beg to inform you that your brother is a prisoner in the above prison and would like to see you tonight’. Kathleen along with her two sisters Madge and Laura were conveyed to the prison under escort.

The Daly sisters, possibly Madge, Kathleen and Laura from left to right, date unknown. Reproduced from the Daly Papers, Glucksman Library, University of Limerick.

The sisters were brought to Cell No 66 where they found Edward still dressed in his Volunteer uniform, Madge Daly recalled that he “looked so proud and strong and noble with eyes alert and full of the fire of enthusiasm that it was hard to believe he was a captive doomed to be shot in a few short hours.”

The siblings got a mere few moments together, Edward speaking with immense pride of the Volunteers under his command and informing them that he personally was glad and proud to die for his country. He passed on love to his mother and aunt and sisters and a message to his uncle, the old Fenian, John Daly, “that he had done his best.”

Before time was called he gave his sisters a few momentoes; some coins, a couple of pens and buttons from his uniform. "The cell door banged behind us and we walked down the endless stairs. I felt Laura’s steps faltering and fearing she would faint, whispered to her “Keep up. You mustn’t break down here.” She answered in a whisper too, “I’ll be alright.”

The Stonebreakers Yard, Kimainham Gaol (Image: Stewart Reddin)

Between 4.00am and 4.30am on 4th May Edward Daly was taken from his cell to the Stonebreakers Yard. A catholic priest testified, “he was calm and brave as he was when with his men in the Church Street area and wished to be remembered to the Sisters of Charity, Brunswick Street who were known to him and had been very kind. As I shook his hand for the last time I felt intensely all that was meant by marching out blindfolded to his death, such a gentle noble brave young Irish man.” He was shot dead by a 12 man firing squad.

That morning Willie Pearse, Michael O’Hanrahan and Joseph Plunkett were also executed. All four bodies were removed to Arbour Hill barracks where they were buried in a pit of lime. Edward Daly, the youngest of those executed being placed beside his beloved brother-in-law Tom Clarke, the eldest.