Patrick Joseph Williams – Irish Citizen Army

Patrick Joseph Williams(1874-1951) was a member of the Irish Citizen Army in 1916. William Oman evidence stated Patrick Williams was one of the permanent guard on liberty Hall for 3 weeks before the Rising. On Easter Sunday he joined the ICA route march through the city, returning to duty at Liberty Hall. On the Monday morning Sean Connelly ordered William Oman to take three men to help with the attack on Dublin Castle;. He took Williams, Delany and Murphy. They took up position with main party, the main party dispersed to various positions. Williams occupied an outpost sniping position attached to the City Hall garrison, covering the Ship Street gate of Dublin Castle. Patrick States he fired shots at the police in lord edward Street . At 4pm they all abandoned the position. Patrick Williams made his way to Bolands Mill arriving after 6 o’clock. tom kelly gave evidence that on Tuesday Patrick Williams was brought up to him as it was his uncle and that they surrendered together. Patrick is mentioned in the witness statement of Sean Byrne, who stated that he dug the grave of Peader Macken of “B” Company who had been shot in the stomach. Williams remained at Bolands Mill until taken prisoner on general surrender. He was imprisoned in Wakefield and Frongoch. On his release at Christmas 1916 he joined ‘B’ Coy. III Batt. Dublin Brigade, where his records states he was in continuous service in the Battalion area. He was arrested December ’20 was an inmate of Ballykinlar until his release in December 1921. From 1922 -1924 he served in the Citizen Army under Christy Poole. He worked in the Paving Dept as a concreter with Dublin Corporation.