I am told that the sudden douching of electric lights caused more confusion in Sandycove last Friday night than did the actual exploding of the bomb. Occupants of adjacent houses found themselves plunged into darkness, with rubble falling all around them.
They will not be caught napping again, however, and all day Friday and Saturday the local stores were kept busy serving electric torches, batteries, bulbs and other sources of illumination.
A feature of the bombing was the efficiency of members of the Garda, Fire Brigade, Auxiliary Fire Service, Red Cross, A.R.P. Services and L.S.F., who were on the scene within five minutes. The Fire Brigade were particularly prompt, and those who witnessed its breakneck dash through George's street swear that the sound of the explosion had barely died away when they heard the familiar clang of the fire bell.
This is no exaggeration; for I happened to be in a 'bus, which reached the top of Marine road at just about seven-forty, which is stated to be the time of the explosion, and I caught a glimpse of the Brigade already on its way.
I was surprised to see, on arriving at the crater, that one man was using a spade, while all the others were forced to clear away the wreckage with their hands. They cannot be praised too highly for the way in which they set about their task, but I cannot help thinking that, had there been someone buried beneath the wreckage, their magnificent work might have been in vain.
What is the use of having such efficient workers as those of Friday night when the authorities do not equip them properly?
The Irish Times, December 28th, 1940.