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P106/126 Each for All Irish Transport & General Workers Union Head Offices: Liberty Hall, Beresfort Place, Dublin. James Larkin General Secretary All for each Phone - Dublin 3421 Temporary Offices, 31 Eden Quay, ............19 Saturday Dear Mrs Humphrys Some of our men (Citizen Army) branch
of Republican A.) have heard that The O’Rahillys’ body is to be
exhumed and brought to his native place tomorrow.
All our men have the greatest respect and love for him,
and are most anxious to turn up and testify
to it. If it is true could you let me know, - there are
rumours & counter rumours, and we are anxious to know the
truth. Our men are keenly alive to the part he played
in arming them, and making it possible for them
to play the part they played. Could you let me
know the particulars, and give them to bearer. I am
writing in great haste Yours sincerely
Helena Moloney
This letter was sent to Mrs. Humphreys by Helena Molony. In the letter Molony questions
Nell on whether there is any truth to the rumours that Michael's body is to be exhumed
and brought to 'his native place' tomorrow. She outlines how important Michael was
to the men in the ICA and that they are anxious to know the truth about these rumours.Helena
Malony (1883-1967) was a founding member of Inghinidhe na hÉireann, a member of the
Irish Citizen Army and a close colleague of James Connolly and Markievicz. She was
part of the group of rebels who seized City Hall during the Easter Rising and was
imprisoned in Aylesbury prison until December 1916.The letter was sent to Mary Ellen
(Nell) Humphreys (née O'Rahilly). Nell was the sister of The O'Rahilly. Michael Joseph
'The' O'Rahilly (1875–1916) was a nationalist and a journalist. In 1916 he aligned
himself with Eoin MacNeill and Bulmer Hobson who opposed a preemptive rising. Although
O'Rahilly played a large role in delivering MacNeill's countermanding order he felt
obligated to stand with the men he recruited and trained. O'Rahilly was fatally wounded
on the Thursday 27 April when the GPO was being evacuated.