Irish National Invincibles

The Irish National Invincibles, usually known as "the Invincibles" were an extremist nationalist group, largely composed of former Irish Republican Brotherhood members operating independently of the IRB.

Related Topics:
Nationalist - Irish Republican Brotherhood

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They hatched a plan to kill the Permanent Under Secretary at the Irish Office Thomas Henry Burke and it was Chief Secretary for Ireland Lord Frederick Cavendish's misfortune that he was walking with Burke when the assassins struck in Phoenix Park Dublin at 17:30 Saturday May 6, 1882, in what was to be known as the Phoenix Park Murders.

Related Topics:
Irish Office - Thomas Henry Burke - Chief Secretary for Ireland - Lord Frederick Cavendish - Assassin - Phoenix Park - Dublin - May 6 - 1882 - Phoenix Park Murders

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The Invincibles targeted Burke because he was a Castle Catholic, who had been working for the British Establishment in a prominent position for many years, and was in their eyes a traitor to Ireland.

Related Topics:
Castle Catholic - British Establishment - Ireland

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The assassinations in the park were initiated by Joe Brady knifing the Permanent Under Secretary Thomas Burke, followed in short order by Tim Kelly, who knifed Lord Frederick. Both men used surgical knives. The British press expressed the outrage felt by many and demanded that the "Phoenix Park Murderers" be brought to justice.

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The Invincibles' leader, James Carey, and Michael Kavanagh agreed to testify against the others. Joe Brady, Michael Fagan, Thomas Caffrey, Dan Curley and Tim Kelly were hanged in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin between May 14th and June 4th, 1883. Others were sentenced to serve long prison terms.

Related Topics:
Hanged - Kilmainham Gaol

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Carey was shot dead on board the 'Melrose Castle' off Cape Town, South Africa, on July 29 1883, by Donegal man Patrick O Donnell, for giving evidence against his former comrades. O'Donnell was apprehended and escorted back to Ireland, where he was executed on December 17 1883.

Related Topics:
Cape Town - South Africa - July 29 - 1883 - Donegal - Ireland - December 17

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