Background
Special Permit
When martial law was invoked in Limerick in 1919, a special permit was required to enter and leave the city. This caused difficulty for many, particularly known Republicans, who were refused permits. A massive strike ensued, which is now known as the Limerick Soviet. The strike committee went as far as printing its own currency.
Courtesy of Limerick City Library.Special Permit
Courtesy of Limerick City Library.
Courtesy of Limerick City Library.
Special Permit
When martial law was invoked in Limerick in 1919, a special permit was required to enter and leave the city. This caused difficulty for many, particularly known Republicans, who were refused permits. A massive strike ensued, which is now known as the Limerick Soviet. The strike committee went as far as printing its own currency.
Courtesy of Limerick City Library.In April 1919, Robert Byrne, a member of Sinn Féin, Irish Volunteer and trade union activist, was arrested and sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour. Byrne led his fellow prison inmates in a campaign of civil disobedience, in order to try to secure better treatment and status as political prisoners. The prisoners continued to be treated badly, and went on hunger strike. Byrne was taken to hospital under armed guard after three weeks. A rescue attempt was made by the Volunteers, but Byrne was fatally shot during the resulting gun fight. One of the policemen guarding Byrne was also shot.
There was much unrest in Ireland at the time against the British, and the funeral of Robert Byrne was a tense affair. It was attended by an estimated 15,000 people, and British Government became concerned that there would be an outbreak of trouble. Martial law was imposed on Limerick city and part of the county on 9 April 1919. This meant that movement into and out of the city was restricted and the army had the power to seize vehicles and disperse gatherings. Workers required permits to enter the city and known Republicans could not get a permit.
There was much unrest in Ireland at the time against the British, and the funeral of Robert Byrne was a tense affair. It was attended by an estimated 15,000 people, and British Government became concerned that there would be an outbreak of trouble. Martial law was imposed on Limerick city and part of the county on 9 April 1919. This meant that movement into and out of the city was restricted and the army had the power to seize vehicles and disperse gatherings. Workers required permits to enter the city and known Republicans could not get a permit.