One hundred and twenty men took part in the attack. The IRA captured the building, but it was quickly surrounded by the Auxiliaries, who opened fire on the men inside. The IRA returned fire, but they soon ran out of ammunition and were forced to surrender. The attack on the Customs House was a disaster: five members of the IRA were killed, two were wounded and a further 80 were captured. Three civilians were also killed.
Throughout May and June the IRA continued their actions in Dublin and elsewhere, but Collins was worried. They were running low on weapons and ammunition. He believed it was only a matter of time before the IRA could no longer hold out against the British forces.
The May Election
In May 1921 the British government held elections for the two new Home Rule parliaments that were due to come into being within a few months. Sinn Féin ignored the idea of Home Rule. They looked on the election as an election for the Second Dáil. The party won 124 seats unopposed. Just four Unionists were elected in the South.
Results of the 1921 General Election: Southern Ireland
Independent Unionists 4
124
Sinn Féin
Northern Ireland Sinn Féin 6 Nationalist Party 6 40 Ulster Unionist Party
The overwhelming public support for Sinn Féin forced Lloyd George to openly discuss terms of peace with them.
