Dónal Donnelly
Encyclopedia
Dónal Donnelly was the only man to escape from Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast during “Operation Harvest” which was also called “The Border Campaign” from 1956–1962.
He escaped from the high security prison on St. Stephen’s Day ( Boxing Day) 26 December 1960 . He had been sentenced to ten years in prison, at the age of 18, on the charge of membership of the Irish Republican Army
(deemed an illegal organisation) on 22 October by Lord Chief Justice MacDermott. A second charge of conspiracy to cause explosions which destroyed several B Special
drill halls in County Tyrone was dropped in January 1958 as there was insufficient evidence to support it.
Dónal, also known as “Danny” grew up in Omagh
, County Tyrone
, where he was born in September 1939. He was the youngest of six sons born to Peter Donnelly, a station foreman in Omagh's GNR (Great Northern Railway
) station and his wife Margaret (née Doherty) from a small farming family in Newtownstewart. Dónal was educated at the Christian Brothers Mount St. Columba Grammar School. While in jail, he convinced London University to designate Crumlin Road Prison as an examination centre in 1958 and successfully sat six GCE (General Certificate of Education
) subjects before he escaped.
Accompanying Donnelly on his escape was Belfast Republican, John Kelly (1936–2007), aged 24 at the time. Kelly was serving eight years, having been captured in possession of arms with three others during the early days of “Operation Harvest”. Kelly was recaptured during the escape and served additional time in prison for this escape attempt. He became a defender of his community during the early years of “The Troubles” which began in the streets of Belfast
in 1969. He and his brothers, along with others, created “Defence Committees” which eventually led to the importation of arms and the subsequent Arms Trial in which John Kelly, Capt. James Kelly, Albert Luyx, Charles Haughey
and Neil Blaney
– the latter two Government Ministers in the Irish Government led by Taoiseach
(Prime Minister) Jack Lynch
– were acquitted of having acted illegally.
In 2010, Donnelly published his memoirs as Prisoner 1082 - Escape From Crumlin Road, Europe’s Alcatraz. The prison was so called as it was regarded during those years as an impregnable fortress with its high walls, security regime and armed police gun turrets at each corner and armed warders in the grounds. The newspapers of the day recorded that 12,000 Royal Ulster Constabulary
and B Specials hunted Donnelly in the biggest manhunt ever witnessed in Northern Ireland. In his book he describes the historical, political, social and family influences that brought him to the top of that prison wall. Donnelly was an active participant although only a teenager, in the election campaign of 1955, during which two IRA jailed candidates were elected. They were Tom Mitchell, MP for Mid Ulster
and Philip Clarke
, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
. The British Westminster Parliament unseated them as “Felons” and Tom Mitchell was elected again by a greater majority in 1956 only to be unseated again. The British and Unionist
action of ignoring the democratic will of the people of Tyrone and Fermanagh coupled with gross discrimination in jobs, housing and other injustices gave great support to a militant campaign which attracted Donnelly and other young men. Donnelly was secretary of the local Sinn Féin
Cumann (Club) in 1956 when the Stormont Government declared it an illegal organisation. (Stormont Government was later prorogued by Ted Heath’s Conservative Government in 1972 — sixteen years later — as being unfit to govern. Stormont did not return until 1998, in a vastly different form.) Donnelly was never re-captured and lived the rest of his life in Dublin, since there was at the time no extradition.
Donnelly lived and worked in Cork for several years, then moved to Dublin where he worked for Urney Chocolates in Tallaght and later in H.B. Ice Cream and subsequently as purchasing/planning manager for Unilever
’s Food Division in Ireland. He was elected president of his professional body, The Irish Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (IIPMM), on two occasions. During these years he was elected as the sole Irish Unilever Representative to one of the first European Works Councils mandated by law in 1994. He was very active in the “Save the West” (of Ireland) Campaign in the 1960s and 1970s with author, agitator, editor and founder of The Bell magazine Peadar O’Donnell. He married Caitríona McConnell, a grand niece by marriage of Michael Mallin, who had been executed in 1916 for leading the St. Stephen’s Garrison on behalf of the Citizen Army. They have four children, Eoin, David, Úna and Deirdre. In later years, he became active in his own community in south County Dublin and was honoured by being elected Mayor of Dundrum (Dublin) by the Dundrum Arts and Cultural Festival.
He escaped from the high security prison on St. Stephen’s Day ( Boxing Day) 26 December 1960 . He had been sentenced to ten years in prison, at the age of 18, on the charge of membership of the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
(deemed an illegal organisation) on 22 October by Lord Chief Justice MacDermott. A second charge of conspiracy to cause explosions which destroyed several B Special
Ulster Special Constabulary
The Ulster Special Constabulary was a reserve police force in Northern Ireland. It was set up in October 1920, shortly before the founding of Northern Ireland. It was an armed corps, organised partially on military lines and called out in times of emergency, such as war or insurgency...
drill halls in County Tyrone was dropped in January 1958 as there was insufficient evidence to support it.
Dónal, also known as “Danny” grew up in Omagh
Omagh
Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and...
, County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, where he was born in September 1939. He was the youngest of six sons born to Peter Donnelly, a station foreman in Omagh's GNR (Great Northern Railway
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
) station and his wife Margaret (née Doherty) from a small farming family in Newtownstewart. Dónal was educated at the Christian Brothers Mount St. Columba Grammar School. While in jail, he convinced London University to designate Crumlin Road Prison as an examination centre in 1958 and successfully sat six GCE (General Certificate of Education
General Certificate of Education
The General Certificate of Education or GCE is an academic qualification that examination boards in the United Kingdom and a few of the Commonwealth countries, notably Sri Lanka, confer to students. The GCE traditionally comprised two levels: the Ordinary Level and the Advanced Level...
) subjects before he escaped.
Accompanying Donnelly on his escape was Belfast Republican, John Kelly (1936–2007), aged 24 at the time. Kelly was serving eight years, having been captured in possession of arms with three others during the early days of “Operation Harvest”. Kelly was recaptured during the escape and served additional time in prison for this escape attempt. He became a defender of his community during the early years of “The Troubles” which began in the streets of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in 1969. He and his brothers, along with others, created “Defence Committees” which eventually led to the importation of arms and the subsequent Arms Trial in which John Kelly, Capt. James Kelly, Albert Luyx, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
and Neil Blaney
Neil Blaney
Neil Terence Columba Blaney was a senior Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1948 as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála representing Donegal East. Blaney served as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs , Minister for Local Government and Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries...
– the latter two Government Ministers in the Irish Government led by Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
(Prime Minister) Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
– were acquitted of having acted illegally.
In 2010, Donnelly published his memoirs as Prisoner 1082 - Escape From Crumlin Road, Europe’s Alcatraz. The prison was so called as it was regarded during those years as an impregnable fortress with its high walls, security regime and armed police gun turrets at each corner and armed warders in the grounds. The newspapers of the day recorded that 12,000 Royal Ulster Constabulary
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
and B Specials hunted Donnelly in the biggest manhunt ever witnessed in Northern Ireland. In his book he describes the historical, political, social and family influences that brought him to the top of that prison wall. Donnelly was an active participant although only a teenager, in the election campaign of 1955, during which two IRA jailed candidates were elected. They were Tom Mitchell, MP for Mid Ulster
Mid Ulster (UK Parliament constituency)
Mid Ulster is a Parliamentary Constituency in the British House of Commons.-Boundaries:The constituency was created in 1950 when the old two-seat constituency of Fermanagh and Tyrone was abolished as part of the final move to single member seats...
and Philip Clarke
Philip Clarke
Philip Christopher Clarke was an Irish republican paramilitary and politician.-Early life:Clarke was born in Dublin. A civil servant and an evening student at University College Dublin, Clarke joined the Irish Republican Army and was captured after the IRA raided a British Army barracks in Omagh,...
, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Fermanagh and South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency)
Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a Parliamentary constituency in the British House of Commons. The current MP for the constituency is Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin....
. The British Westminster Parliament unseated them as “Felons” and Tom Mitchell was elected again by a greater majority in 1956 only to be unseated again. The British and Unionist
Unionist
-United Kingdom:In the United Kingdom, British unionists are those people and political organisations who wish their area to remain or become part of the United Kingdom...
action of ignoring the democratic will of the people of Tyrone and Fermanagh coupled with gross discrimination in jobs, housing and other injustices gave great support to a militant campaign which attracted Donnelly and other young men. Donnelly was secretary of the local Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
Cumann (Club) in 1956 when the Stormont Government declared it an illegal organisation. (Stormont Government was later prorogued by Ted Heath’s Conservative Government in 1972 — sixteen years later — as being unfit to govern. Stormont did not return until 1998, in a vastly different form.) Donnelly was never re-captured and lived the rest of his life in Dublin, since there was at the time no extradition.
Donnelly lived and worked in Cork for several years, then moved to Dublin where he worked for Urney Chocolates in Tallaght and later in H.B. Ice Cream and subsequently as purchasing/planning manager for Unilever
Unilever
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational corporation that owns many of the world's consumer product brands in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products....
’s Food Division in Ireland. He was elected president of his professional body, The Irish Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (IIPMM), on two occasions. During these years he was elected as the sole Irish Unilever Representative to one of the first European Works Councils mandated by law in 1994. He was very active in the “Save the West” (of Ireland) Campaign in the 1960s and 1970s with author, agitator, editor and founder of The Bell magazine Peadar O’Donnell. He married Caitríona McConnell, a grand niece by marriage of Michael Mallin, who had been executed in 1916 for leading the St. Stephen’s Garrison on behalf of the Citizen Army. They have four children, Eoin, David, Úna and Deirdre. In later years, he became active in his own community in south County Dublin and was honoured by being elected Mayor of Dundrum (Dublin) by the Dundrum Arts and Cultural Festival.