Hale was mobilised during Easter Week 1916 and sent a number of dispatches to Cork requesting further instructions. Ultimately, however, there was no uprising in Cork to match that in Dublin. The Volunteers gave up their arms and were later arrested. Terence McSwiney was arrested in Hales' home on 3 May 1916 and Hales himself escaped and went on the run. He stated that he was listed as 'wanted' in the "Hue and Cry" police gazette. In 1918 Hales took part in a raid on a British gunboat and held 25 armed RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) members prisoner at Snugmore Castle. Hales also took part in a decoy in assisting his brother, Seán, to escape after his arrest in connection with the German Plot. He was elected commandant of the 1st (Bandon) battalion (1917–19), and commander of Cork 3rd brigade, IRA, in January 1919.