July 18 1924
The release of Mr [Éamon] De Valera from Free State custody has been hailed by the Irish public generally with quiet satisfaction, and by his immediate supporters with unrestrained rejoicing.
Immediately after being released, Mr De Valera visited the Sinn Féin headquarters at 23 Suffolk Street, and later visited widows and relatives of men killed during the Irregular campaign, including Mrs Childers, Mrs Boland, and Mrs Cathal Brugha. When news of the release became general crowds gathered in the neighbourhood of Suffolk Street, while a stream of congratulatory messages from all parts of the country poured into the Anti-Treaty headquarters.
Yesterday morning Suffolk Street again presented an animated aspect, thousands gathering in the expectation of getting a glimpse of the released leader. At 12.50 a motor car containing Mr Austin Stack, TD, who was also released on Wednesday night, drove up, and Mr Stack, who appeared none the worse for his long incarceration, was warmly welcomed. Asked if he had any message or statement to make, he laughingly replied: “There is nothing. I hardly know anything.”
Mr De Valera arrived at about half past one and received a great reception. He was immediately surrounded by friends, and after posing for photographs was almost carried into the building. Mr De Valera who was flushed and excited, confined himself to the remark: “I did not expect this”.
After almost a year of being interned, Éamon de Valera’s release was greeted with jubilation by his supporters.
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Dispute over Marino Homes
The dispute between the rival sections of the IT and GWU and the WUI continues unchanged. Liberty Hall has now been closed for six weeks or more, and police do duty outside the building.
The business of the IT and GWU, however, is carried on at 42 York Street, where the various sections, including Insurance are catered for. The members of the WUI have their interests attended to in Marlborough Street, Luke Street, and High Street.
The Marino building scheme hold-up drags on without the slightest hope of the works restarting. This is the penalty 1,000 workers are paying for the ill-advised action of the builders’ labourers, who numbered less than half those employed on the job.
