The executions of the 14 leaders in Dublin were in Kilmainham Gaol from 3 to 12 May. Maxwell ordered the men were to be certified as dead by a medical officer and have a name label pinned to their breasts. The bodies would then be removed immediately to an ambulance, which, when full, was to drive to Arbour Hill Barracks where they were to be put in a grave alongside one another, covered in quicklime and the grave filled. One of the officers with the party was to keep a note of the identity of each body that was placed in the grave and a priest was to be available to attend “the funeral service”.

One of the Capuchin friars who ministered to the Volunteers during the Rising, and was with them at the end, Fr Columbus, went to Dublin Castle, then to the British military headquarters to assist in informing the Volunteers of the surrender.

Ultimately he was told to see General Maxwell and Patrick Pearse at Arbour Hill Prison and ask Pearse to rewrite his surrender note so it could be disseminated to the various garrisons.

Gen Maxwell received Fr Columbus courteously, and when he asked to be allowed to see Pearse and the others held there, his request was granted.