It had been the custom for some time, for several Auxiliary Cadets in a Ford touring car, to call every morning at the Ballsbridge Post Office and receive the mailbag for Beggar's Bush Barracks. At about 9:00 am on Tuesday morning the 14th December 1920, a group of armed civilians took up positions on Pembroke Road and held up all the Tramway traffic to and from Dublin. One of this group in addition in addition to having an automatic pistol was also armed with a rifle. A further section of the attacking party had taken up a position in a laneway leading on to Shelbourne Road and opening onto that thoroughfare, nearly opposite the Post Office. This latter party was largely concealed in the laneway, and the thoroughfare presented its customarily quiet aspect, when the Ford car drew up at the Post Office door a few minutes after 9:00 o'clock. The Auxiliary Cadets got out of the car and entered the Post Office, only the driver remaining in the vehicle. The mails were carried out and placed in the car. Two of the Auxiliaries resumed their seats in the car and were making ready for the return to Beggar's Bush Barracks when there was a loud explosion followed by a dense volume of smoke and a number of rifle and revolver shots. The explosion was caused by a powerful bomb and apparently was the signal for the attack. The Auxiliaries returned the fire and then took refuge in the Post Office, from which they telephoned for assistance. At least two bullets of the attacking party entered the windows of the Post Office causing great alarm to the female staff working there. A Crossley Tender with a complement of Auxiliary Cadets arrived on the scene within a few minutes, only to find that the Ford car and its contents had been driven off by the raiders, all of whom had decamped. The attackers had approached the car carrying rifles, from the corner Shelbourne Road, got into it and drove it away towards Herbert Park, where another motor car was waiting, both cars were then driven away in the direction of Morehampton road.
Postscript.
The stolen mails were found at Bantry, Co. Cork, on the 11th March 1921, and the Ford car was found in stables near Mountjoy Square during a successful raid for arms on the 25th March 1921.
Postscript.
The stolen mails were found at Bantry, Co. Cork, on the 11th March 1921, and the Ford car was found in stables near Mountjoy Square during a successful raid for arms on the 25th March 1921.
