"We Hadn't Any Machine Guns Or Anything Like That"
"It Was Better For Him To Die"
Richard Humphreys was a member of the Headquarters Battalion and served under Desmond Fitzgerald in the Commissariat in the General Post Office. He remembers Pearse inspecting the different positions within the building and updating the men with news from around the country.
Richard Humphreys was the nephew of Michael Joseph O’Rahilly (known as The O’Rahilly). He saw his uncle for the last time on Friday evening just before The O’Rahilly left the GPO with his small party who were tasked with trying to get to Moore Street.
Richard Humphreys was arrested after the surrender and taken to Kilmainham Gaol. It was two days before he learned of the death of his uncle who was killed while leading the charge from the GPO.
Tommy mentioned about one of the leaders, The O’Rahilly being killed, and it was a frightful shock.
Richard Humphreys was a member of the Irish Volunteers and was attached to the Headquarters Battalion in the GPO. During the War of Independence he joined ‘B’ Company, 3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Republican Army.
Richard Humphreys was interviewed for the RTÉ Television project 'Portraits 1916' on 1 January 1966.