30 October 1997 Edition
Remembering the Past: Escape from the Glasshouse
25 years ago on 29 October 1972, seven men tunnelled their way from the cells of the Curragh prison camp. They were Thomas McGrath (Coalisland, Co Tyrone), Patrick Quinn (Coalisland), James Hazlett (Dungiven, Co Derry), James McCabe (Rathfarnham, Co Dublin), Christopher Murphy (Rathblaney, Co Limerick), Michael McVerry (Ravensdale, Co Louth) and Colm Murphy (Belleek, Co Fermanagh).
One of those escapees - James Hazlett - was interviewed by his son Seamus about the escape.
What were you convicted of and for how long were you sentenced?
I was arrested on 14 May 1971 in connection with an armed robbery on a gun shop in Tullamore, Co Offaly. I was detained in Mountjoy Jail for six months. I was then tried in a court which I failed to recognise, and the jury failed to reach a verdict . I was re-tried six weeks later and convicted on the word of a so-called fingerprint expert. I was one of the first ever to be convicted in a 26 county court in this phase of armed struggle. I was sentenced to six years penal servitude. The next day I was sent to Port Laoise Prison.
Was your time in jail harsh? If so, how badly were you treated?
On arrival at Port Laoise I was strip searched, and thrown into a cold shower. My clothes were confiscated and I was presented with a convict's uniform which I refused to wear as I was a political prisoner. The screws failed to recognise my status. I was locked up in a cell and thrown a blanket which I wore for three months. I was subjected to strip searches and cell searches weekly. Because I refused to wear a convict's uniform, visits were prohibited.
Describe your time on hunger strike and explain what your protest was about.
As time went on, two other volunteers arrived in Port Laoise for possession of weapons. They were subjected to the same harsh treatment. We decided among ourselves to go on hunger strike for political status. As a result of the hunger strike ten of us were transferred to the Curragh Camp, better known as `The Glasshouse' where we joined another twenty comrades. My 21 days of hunger strike ended after the transfer as we were given our political status.
How long were you in jail before you escaped?
I spent between May and December of 1971 in Mountjoy, between December 1971 and May of 1972 in Port Laoise, and between May and October of 1972 in the Curragh. A total of 18 months before I escaped.
How did you come to be involved in the escape?
On arrival at the Curragh, escaping was a priority. I heard a rumour that escape plans were in progress. The Free State forces also heard of the plans. As a result they brought in carpenters to remove floor boards in cells at random. When we discovered the empty space which lay under these floor boards, the escape plans began to evolve.
How did you escape?
The original plan was to dig down underneath the foundations and tunnel all the way to the perimeter wall, but as time went by, adverse weather conditions were a threat to this plan. It was now decided to bring the tunnel up in the middle of the yard. Seven of us successfully escaped through this tunnel and scaled a 20 feet wall by means of a rope ladder.
Describe the tunnel and how it was dug.
The tunnel went in a U shape. It was roughly 8 feet deep and 12 feet long. The wooden floor in the cell was suspended about 18 inches from the ground. It was dug using makeshift tools such as spoons and chisels. A hard plastic lamp shade was used as a scoop to take the clay from the tunnel. Most of the clay was then taken away in pillow cases and stored in the space which lay between the wooden floor and the ground. The rest of the clay was kept in cardboard boxes with books placed on top so as the screws would not see. There was up to four people involved in digging the tunnel. Only one person at a time would be able to work on the tunnel for about two hours a day. This continued for 6 - 8 weeks. A bed was placed over the hole while somebody was working in it. Some of the main architects of the tunnel didn't even take part in the escape. Preference was given to those with the longest sentences. Inside the tunnel there wasn't much room to move around. It was about 18 inches square - enough to crawl around in. Some rain started to seep in just before the escape. However this did not pose any threat as seven of us successfully escaped.
How many other people did you escape with?
I escaped with six other people. The soldiers became aware of the escape very soon after we had come out of the tunnel. As a result four of my comrades were apprehended in the yard by an armed Free State soldier.
Describe the events of the escape.
The escape was originally planned for Saturday night 28 October 1972 but had to be abandoned at the last minute because of the untimely arrival of a sentry on the wall. A meeting was called the next morning by our OC and it was agreed that too much effort had been put into the escape so we decided to escape after 4 o'clock tea that evening regardless of the consequences.
Describe what happened after the escape
The seven of us split up into two groups after our successful scaling of the wall. My two comrades and I travelled on foot from dusk that night until dawn the next morning when we took cover during daybreak in a haybarn approximately thirty miles from the Curragh. We set off again that evening.
We made contact with a sympathiser and we stayed in his house for two weeks. We were then contacted by an OC and we were all sent to different counties where we took up active service on the run.
How was life on the run?
Life on the run was tough. You were on active service and always on alert for your own safety and security. Two of my fellow escapees have been killed on active service since. At several times over the years I would be tipped off at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning that raids by security forces were imminent. I always managed to escape and was never apprehended on the run. However many years later I was arrested under The Prevention of Terrorism Act in Liverpool and I was sent back to Ireland.
Do you have any regrets?
No. I knew at the time of joining that at all times I would remain loyal and committed to the movement as my aim was to see complete disengagement of British forces from this island.
In terms of the current political situation, what do you think will be the outcome?
As far as I am concerned the only language the British understands is that coming from the barrel of a gun. However I am open to persuasion that a united Ireland can be achieved by peaceful means.
Do you think a United Ireland is still achievable?
Yes. As long as the Republican movement has volunteers willing to fight, the goal of a united Ireland will always remain achievable.
One of those escapees - James Hazlett - was interviewed by his son Seamus about the escape.
What were you convicted of and for how long were you sentenced?
I was arrested on 14 May 1971 in connection with an armed robbery on a gun shop in Tullamore, Co Offaly. I was detained in Mountjoy Jail for six months. I was then tried in a court which I failed to recognise, and the jury failed to reach a verdict . I was re-tried six weeks later and convicted on the word of a so-called fingerprint expert. I was one of the first ever to be convicted in a 26 county court in this phase of armed struggle. I was sentenced to six years penal servitude. The next day I was sent to Port Laoise Prison.
Was your time in jail harsh? If so, how badly were you treated?
On arrival at Port Laoise I was strip searched, and thrown into a cold shower. My clothes were confiscated and I was presented with a convict's uniform which I refused to wear as I was a political prisoner. The screws failed to recognise my status. I was locked up in a cell and thrown a blanket which I wore for three months. I was subjected to strip searches and cell searches weekly. Because I refused to wear a convict's uniform, visits were prohibited.
Describe your time on hunger strike and explain what your protest was about.
As time went on, two other volunteers arrived in Port Laoise for possession of weapons. They were subjected to the same harsh treatment. We decided among ourselves to go on hunger strike for political status. As a result of the hunger strike ten of us were transferred to the Curragh Camp, better known as `The Glasshouse' where we joined another twenty comrades. My 21 days of hunger strike ended after the transfer as we were given our political status.
How long were you in jail before you escaped?
I spent between May and December of 1971 in Mountjoy, between December 1971 and May of 1972 in Port Laoise, and between May and October of 1972 in the Curragh. A total of 18 months before I escaped.
How did you come to be involved in the escape?
On arrival at the Curragh, escaping was a priority. I heard a rumour that escape plans were in progress. The Free State forces also heard of the plans. As a result they brought in carpenters to remove floor boards in cells at random. When we discovered the empty space which lay under these floor boards, the escape plans began to evolve.
How did you escape?
The original plan was to dig down underneath the foundations and tunnel all the way to the perimeter wall, but as time went by, adverse weather conditions were a threat to this plan. It was now decided to bring the tunnel up in the middle of the yard. Seven of us successfully escaped through this tunnel and scaled a 20 feet wall by means of a rope ladder.
Describe the tunnel and how it was dug.
The tunnel went in a U shape. It was roughly 8 feet deep and 12 feet long. The wooden floor in the cell was suspended about 18 inches from the ground. It was dug using makeshift tools such as spoons and chisels. A hard plastic lamp shade was used as a scoop to take the clay from the tunnel. Most of the clay was then taken away in pillow cases and stored in the space which lay between the wooden floor and the ground. The rest of the clay was kept in cardboard boxes with books placed on top so as the screws would not see. There was up to four people involved in digging the tunnel. Only one person at a time would be able to work on the tunnel for about two hours a day. This continued for 6 - 8 weeks. A bed was placed over the hole while somebody was working in it. Some of the main architects of the tunnel didn't even take part in the escape. Preference was given to those with the longest sentences. Inside the tunnel there wasn't much room to move around. It was about 18 inches square - enough to crawl around in. Some rain started to seep in just before the escape. However this did not pose any threat as seven of us successfully escaped.
How many other people did you escape with?
I escaped with six other people. The soldiers became aware of the escape very soon after we had come out of the tunnel. As a result four of my comrades were apprehended in the yard by an armed Free State soldier.
Describe the events of the escape.
The escape was originally planned for Saturday night 28 October 1972 but had to be abandoned at the last minute because of the untimely arrival of a sentry on the wall. A meeting was called the next morning by our OC and it was agreed that too much effort had been put into the escape so we decided to escape after 4 o'clock tea that evening regardless of the consequences.
Describe what happened after the escape
The seven of us split up into two groups after our successful scaling of the wall. My two comrades and I travelled on foot from dusk that night until dawn the next morning when we took cover during daybreak in a haybarn approximately thirty miles from the Curragh. We set off again that evening.
We made contact with a sympathiser and we stayed in his house for two weeks. We were then contacted by an OC and we were all sent to different counties where we took up active service on the run.
How was life on the run?
Life on the run was tough. You were on active service and always on alert for your own safety and security. Two of my fellow escapees have been killed on active service since. At several times over the years I would be tipped off at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning that raids by security forces were imminent. I always managed to escape and was never apprehended on the run. However many years later I was arrested under The Prevention of Terrorism Act in Liverpool and I was sent back to Ireland.
Do you have any regrets?
No. I knew at the time of joining that at all times I would remain loyal and committed to the movement as my aim was to see complete disengagement of British forces from this island.
In terms of the current political situation, what do you think will be the outcome?
As far as I am concerned the only language the British understands is that coming from the barrel of a gun. However I am open to persuasion that a united Ireland can be achieved by peaceful means.
Do you think a United Ireland is still achievable?
Yes. As long as the Republican movement has volunteers willing to fight, the goal of a united Ireland will always remain achievable.