Irish Volunteers: Courageous jailbreak proves fight in Rebels

Niall Murray explores the brave and co-ordinated activities in the 1918 escape from Cork County Goal

Patrick Varian with the key which was used during the 1918 rescue of Denis McNeilus from Cork County Gaol. Picture: Denis Scannell

IT was on Leitrim St in Cork’s north inner city that Irish Volunteer officer Denis McNeilus was arrested in the first Monday of November, 1918.

In a raid on the house where he was lodging, members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) found guns, ammunition, Irish Volunteer equipment and literature, and other illicit material.