A helicopter pilot is forced at gunpoint to fly to Mountjoy Prison to aid an IRA escape bid.
On 31 October 1973, the IRA hijacked a helicopter at Stradbally. The helicopter pilot Captain Thomson Boyes was forced to land at the D wing of Mountjoy Prison where three IRA prisoners were picked up.
Captain Thomson Boyes describes how he was held at gunpoint and instructed to go to Mountjoy Prison. There he was to pick up three prisoners and take them to Baldoyle Racecourse. The main concern for the pilot was air traffic control who had not been advised of his flight path. He purposely kept the helicopter low to avoid any threat of colliding with other aircraft. After landing in a courtyard at Mountjoy Prison three men climbed into the back of the helicopter.
The men did not direct any conversation at Captain Thomson Boyes during the journey. He was oblivious as to who he had picked up. On arrival at Baldoyle, the escapees and accomplice hopped out and the pilot was instructed to stay in the helicopter.
I was a bit worried when I reached Baldoyle. I thought they might have shot me.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 November 1973. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
