Library:Maurice O'Neills Letters from Prison

Arbour Hill,

Detention Prison,

31-10-1942

May Dear Brother Sean

I suppose you saw in the papers that I met my Waterloo last Saturday night. Well such are the fortunes of war. I must say we were very unlucky. lf we had left the house one hour earlier we would have got clean away and we would have gone only we delayed playing cards. This is what worried me, but l now realise it would come to it sooner or later as they were pretty hot on our tracks for some time.

I am very glad my friend got away. I would have got away also, only I went back when I heard him give a groan. I should have realised then that it was every man for himself . it is no good dwelling on these things now. What went wrong cannot be set right now.

I am to be tried under Emergency Powers Order (41G). This is a Bloodthirsty bill. There is only one choice, death or release. So I believe it is the full penalty for me. There is no good in having false hopes. Hard facts must be faced. They were waiting for a case such as this for a long time. I have one thing that I can be thankful for - I can prepare to meet my God and it's that that really matters. What difference does it make, leaving this sordid world now or in 20 years time or in 40 years time.

All my friends are very good to me since I was arrested. I got my meals and a change of clothes in while I was in the Bridewell and any request I ask for here is given to me. Maureen Smyth is very good to me. Mike came up for the trial last night and Pat and Jerome are coming tonight. They shouldn't have gone to the trouble, as what they will see and hear won't do them any good. I am sure it will be a rough shod affair. Sean McBride is defending me - he came to see me last Thursday night. Con Lehane was up to see me that day too. I expect to see him again this evening. Maureen was refused a visit but possibly my brothers will get permission for one. I am very anxious to see them for the last time.

Well, Sean, if it comes to the worst don't take it too seriously, remember I'm dying as I wished to die, for my country. There is nothing dishonorable in what I have done, as the song, "Lay Him Away in the Hillside", says, "My conscience shall never convict me". That is exactly how I feel, my conscience does not convict me either.

Remember me to all my old friends in the camp, especially Jack Sugrue, Liam Dowling, Christy Callaghan, Liam Cotter and Jerry Mahony. These are some of the internees I knew personally. To all the others I send my best wishes for the future.

Good-bye now, Sean. I am glad it is I must die that you or some other true friend may be spared. I'll write to you again after the trial, Monday, if I can.

So good luck and God bless you for the present.                                                    

I am, now, as ever,

Your loving Brother,

Maurice.                                                          

P.S. lf you are there long after my death, make a cross to my memory and send it home to the lads.

Arbour Hill,

Detention Prison,

05-11-1942

My Dear Father,

My trial finished today and it ended with a verdict of guilty. I am sentenced to death. Well, I expected it and was prepared to meet it. I hope and trust you will be able to bear it as well as I am. It doesn't cause me the slightest worry. I am dying for my country and anybody could not die for a more honorable cause. I sincerely thank God that I have got this great chance to prepare for death. It could have been much, much worse. On that night I could have been shot dead without a chance to prepare, but now I will be prepared and resigned to the will of God.

I was not even charged with wounding anybody not to mind killing anyone. Under any fair law I should have been acquitted but the justice we have here at present is something terrible. My counsel, Sean McBride did everything in his power for me. He was great all through the trial, but of course, the verdict was a foregone conclusion and nobody can be blamed but the government. This verdict must go before the Dail and I think that will be next Tuesday. Within 48 hours of their decision the execution will be carried out. I think Sean McBride is to try for a reprieve, so I am far from dead yet. However, be prepared for the worst and take it bravely and calmly as I feel sure you will.

I am terribly sorry to be the cause of all this trouble and worry to you, but I am sure you understand what my intentions were, to help in every way possible to secure freedom for my country. This is an unfortunate occurrence and it did not in any way fit in with our plans. Placing my trust in God that you will be able to bear this, I’ll finish now but I'll write again next week.

I remain as ever your fond and loving son,

Maurice.

P.S. Please write to me as I would like to receive a last letter from you.

Arbour Hill,

Detention Prison,

09-11-1942

My Dear Father,

I received your letter this morning and cannot explain how glad I was to get it, I have very bad news for you.  I have just got the Government's decision. They have refused to reprieve me. So I must face the firing squad. I am not in the least bit worried for myself , but the thought of the sorrow it will cause you is my greatest trouble. I could not be better prepared. I had confession Friday night and Holy Communion every morning since, so I am quite ready. Anyway there is nothing to miss in this sordid world of suffering and trouble. So don’t grieve for me, Father. Always remember that I will be happy with dear Mother in Heaven. The lads will soon get over this. It is you I am worried about. God knows you had plenty troubles without this one now.

I hope and trust my poor brother, Sean, will be allowed come to see me. It would lighten his burden a lot if I could see him for one hour. I have just heard that there was a great meeting in Caherciveen last night asking for a reprieve for me. lt was wonderful of the people and I am thankful to them. I am glad that I am not being reprieved as the thought of the torture I would have to endure in Portlaoise makes me shudder. The I.R.A. prisoners there wear no clothes and have only 2 blankets each to cover themselves.

Remember, Father, that I am dying in an honorable cause and my hands are clean.' Nobody's life falls on my shoulders. I again sincerely thank God for this wonderful opportunity I have got to prepare.

Tell Tadhg not to worry too much about my fate. Any of these things don’t happen without God already knowing about them. But still He lets them happen.

In His mercy He may have spared me from a much more terrible death. Nobody can doubt His wisdom.

Well now Father, I must bid you a long farewell. Soon I expect to be with my dear Mother in Heaven, praying for you and all other dear friends. May God strengthen, guide and protect you is the last wish and prayer of your loving son,

Maurice.

Chaplain's Office,

Collins Bks., Dublin

12-11-1942

Dear Mr. O'Neill.

I promised your brother, Maurice, that I would send you a line this morning to comfort you in your sorrow.

I have already written to your father, and can only repeat what I said tohim. "Don't worry or grieve over Maurice - he got a grand opportunity ofpreparing for death and he certainly took full advantage of that opportunity.

You will be glad to know that Maurice remained calm and reconciled toGod's will to the end. He gave all his thoughts and all his energy to prayer and was well prepared to meet his God. I hope you will try to think, not of the manner of his death, but rather of the happiness which he is now enjoying in Heaven. I hope that he will pray for you that God may console you and make you as reconciled and happy over his death as he was himself .

God bless you and comfort you in your sorrow

Yours sincerely,

(Rev.) John McLoughlin, C.F.