Part 23 - Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., Civil War Hostilities, Dublin

Black and white print

An image of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. at the outbreak of the Civil War in Dublin in July 1922.

The fighting in Dublin began on 28 June 1922 with an assault by the forces of the Provisional Government on the Four Courts building, which had been occupied by republican opponents to the Anglo-Irish treaty. The Four Courts was located only a couple of hundred meters from the Capuchin Friary on Church Street. Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Dominic O'Connor OFM Cap. assisted in the evacuation of the wounded, provided spiritual comfort, and later facilitated the surrender of the defeated republican garrison. He also negotiated with the National Army to ensure a complete cessation of hostilities and the provision of aid to civilians caught up in the fighting.