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April 14

1865
Politics

April 14, 1865

Fenian Newspaper 'Irish People' raided

On April 14, 1865, British authorities conducted a raid on the offices of the 'Irish People' newspaper, which served as the primary publication for the Fenian movement. Several prominent Fenian leaders, including John O'Leary and Thomas Clarke Luby, were arrested during the operation. This raid severely disrupted the Fenian Brotherhood's communication networks and organizational structure, exposing the extent of government infiltration. The confiscated documents were subsequently used as evidence in the prosecution of numerous Fenian figures, leading to a series of high-profile trials that garnered considerable public attention.

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1919
Politics

April 14, 1919

Limerick Soviet declared

On April 14, 1919, a general strike was declared in Limerick, Ireland, in protest against the British military's declaration of the city as a 'special military area' under the Defence of the Realm Act. Organized by the Limerick Trades and Labour Council, the strike effectively paralyzed the city for two weeks. This period, known as the Limerick Soviet, saw workers take control of essential services, manage food distribution, and even print their own currency, demonstrating significant local resistance to British rule during the War of Independence.

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1922
Battles

April 14, 1922

IRA occupies Four Courts

On April 14, 1922, approximately 200 Anti-Treaty IRA militants, led by Rory O'Connor, occupied the Four Courts and other key buildings in central Dublin. This action initiated a tense standoff with the Provisional Government, which was formed after the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The anti-Treaty faction aimed to provoke a renewed conflict with Britain, hoping to unite the divided IRA against a common enemy. However, the Provisional Government viewed this as an act of rebellion against the nascent Irish Free State, setting the stage for the Irish Civil War.

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