An incident on November 17, 1925, revealed a suspected scheme by Irish Republicans to infiltrate the Boundary Commission’s office in London. Reports from the “Daily Mail” indicated police intelligence about a planned raid targeting essential documents held by the Commission.
Details of the Alleged Plot
The alleged strategy involved a daytime raid by armed individuals. These assailants aimed to incapacitate officials to prevent any alarm from being triggered. In response to the increasing threat level, police heightened security measures by arming all detectives and granting permission to use firearms if faced with resistance.
Consequences of Document Seizure
While seizing the documents would not change the Commission’s outcomes, it could considerably delay ongoing processes. Irish Republicans seemed particularly interested in gaining insight into the workings of the Commission and its decision-making rationale. Consequently, nine armed special branch officers were deployed to ensure security at the Boundary Commission’s office throughout that weekend.
Heightened Security Measures
- Police initially played down the threat level.
- Further investigations, however, indicated a possible imminent raid.
- A representative from the Press Association accessed the building without incident, while entry became more difficult later, coinciding with staff arrivals.
- An armed guard was assigned to protect sensitive documents on-site.
- Over a dozen detectives were positioned at the office as a precaution.
Public Interest Surrounding the Boundary Commission
The activities of the Boundary Commission attracted substantial public attention, especially from supporters of the Irish Republican Party. With rising expectations for nationalists based on announcements from the Morning Post, stories about the alleged raid spread rapidly. This situation highlights the intense political climate surrounding Ireland’s future and the critical implications connected to the Boundary Commission’s findings.
