Old soldiers recall Emergency days at anniversary exhibition in Dublin

COLONEL Terry O'Brien's unit of around 100 men was charged with the "defence of Merrion Strand" during the Emergency and had a couple of anti tank guns in case there was a landing". He was also in command of four anti aircraft guns positioned in nearby Ringsend Park.

Col O'Brien, who had joined the cadets in 1937, was among the hundreds of former volunteers and servicemen who turned up at Cathal Brugha barracks, Dublin, at the weekend, to mark the 50th anniversary of the standing down of the Emergency.

There's a lot of familiar faces staring out at me here," he said, standing in front of the photographic exhibition that formed part of a display put on by military archives.

German bombers would come up along the east coast, turn right just past Dublin, and head towards Liverpool. "The gun unit would be put on alert, the searchlights would come on and illuminate the aircraft, and sometimes the men would open fire at the noisy planes overhead." No hits were scored.

He was on duty the night bombs were dropped on the North Strand, killing 28 people, with more dying later from their wounds. "You could hear the bombs descending; it was like a train coming."

The men, 50 years on, stood in groups around the exhibition room and out in the parade ground, where old munitions and equipment from the time was on display.

"Tar asteach ins na h-Oglaig" urged a poster showing four dapper young men dressed in uniforms like those worn by Mussolini; and signed (Sean) "Keating".

Outside, around the parade ground, Army tents held exhibitions from the various Army departments - catering, communications, Air Corps.

Comdt Bernie O'Callaghan stood in the Ordnance Corps tent, explaining to visitors how 1,183 sea mines were dealt with around the coast during the Emergency, with no Army fatalities.

A number of old soldiers stood beside an old mine, one of those with spikes sticking out of them. A similar mine killed 19 civilians in Dunmanus Bay, Co Donegal, in 1941.

Jack Walsh, from Glencar, Co Kerry, who was an officer with the First Motor Squadron, remembered men who died in accidents: an explosion during a demonstration in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow, drownings, and traffic accidents. Beside him were Matt Treacy and Seamus Crowley, from Dunmanway, Co Cork, who were both in the Local Defence Force (LDF) during the Emergency.

They were each issued with a Lee Enfield rifle and 60 rounds. Their main duty was patrolling the country roads at night, and setting up roadblocks, "looking out for landings of the enemy, not of an army as such, more of spies".

About 60,000 soldiers were on permanent service, with almost 300,000 more serving in some uniformed capacity.

The President, Mrs Robinson, through the Army Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen McMahon, sent her greetings to the exservicemen and women at the weekend, and the Minister for Defence, Mr Barrett, praised the Organisation of National Ex Servicemen and women for organising the commemoration.

A mass was held in the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Refuge, Rathmines, and the homily was given by retired Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr James Kavanagh.