He was at once taken prisoner, and his car seized. Our columns had not proceeded much farther on their way when they suddenly found themselves being ambushed by a strong party of enemy troops. A brisk engagement developed, but although out-numbered three to one, our boys not only fought their way through without losses on their side, but carried their prisoner with them. Their success was due to the able leadership of Dinny Lacey and Sean Hogan.
Now at this time an I.R.A. man named Traynor was under sentence of death in Dublin. Already the British had hanged several of our soldiers who had fallen into their hands, but our side firmly set its face against reprisals. On many a day that I.R.A. men were hanged as criminals British soldiers and police fell into our hands, but they were always released on handing up their arms. If England would not play the game we would.
Traynor’s was a particularly sad case. He was the father of a helpless young family. His execution was fixed for April 25th.
With Potter a prisoner in our hands we at once decided upon a course of action which might save Traynor’s life. We sent a special courier at once to Dublin, with a message to be delivered at the enemy headquarters to the effect that we were prepared to exchange our prisoner for Traynor, and failing this, that Potter would be executed by us.
The message was delivered in Dublin Castle two days before the time fixed for the execution. We got no reply. I believe the Castle officials never let the offer go beyond their own secret circle. After all, Potter was in their eyes but one of the mere Irish whom they had used as a tool.
On the 26th we received word that Traynor had been executed the previous day. We felt it would show weakness on our part if we did not carry out our threat. We thought, too, it would have a good effect if we had to make similar offers in the future. And besides Potter was, in our eyes, not an English soldier but an Irish traitor.
We informed him he was to be executed. We gave him every facility for communicating with his wife and children, and for writing any messages he wished.
I never felt more sorry in my life at having to carry out such an unpleasant task. We discussed the matter from every aspect and agreed we had no alternative. Potter was a kind and cultured gentleman, and a brave officer. Before he was executed he gave us a diary, a signet ring and a gold watch with the request that we should return them to his wife. We fulfilled his request.
As an official reprisal for his death the British military authorities blew up ten farmhouses in South Tipperary. Amongst them was Mrs. Tobin’s, of Tincurry, where Sean Treacy, Hogan and I had sheltered the night after the Soloheadbeg affair.